Tallin's Kfpvints. 



SECOND SERIES. 



No. I. 



THE 



NARRATIVE 



COLONEL DAVID FANNING 



(A TORY IN' THE REVOH'TIONAUV WAR WITH OREAT BRITAIN) 



GIVING AN ACCOIXT OF DIS 



ADVENTURES IN NORTH CAROLINA 



From IT 75 to ITS:?, 



AS WRITTEX BY HIMSELF. 



"WTTfl AN TXTROOrCTlOX AXD EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



NEW YORK: 

REPRINTED FOR JOSEIMT SABTN. 
18 5. 




.^ 



^ 



J 



: -y^ 



KIFTT COPIES IMilNTED, 4T0. 



No. 



^ 




X h V O K I> . 1' It 1 N T E 11 . 



HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS 



i;i:i..\TiN(; ro llli: 



Olti Xortij ^tatc. 

No. 1. 

"Gather \i[> llie fragments tliat remain." 



50 copies 4to. 



.ro. 



THE 
NARRATIVE 

oi- 

colons: I DAVID FAiNAMMJ, 

(A TORY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN;) 
{ilVINO AX ACCOUNT OK HIS 

ADVEXTURES L\ x\OKTlI CAROLINA. 

FROM 1775 lo I7H;!, 
AS WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 

WITH AN 

1 N T U U I) U TI (J X 

AND 

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



|licl)iuoni), l);i. 

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. 

1 8 (! 1 . 

IN Till-; I'IKST YKAIt OV THE INDEPENDENCE OK 111H 
CONFEDERATK STATKS OF AMiaUCA. 



• fr 



|■^:-^^ 



38fe; 



r 






IMIEFACPJ 



-;HE iiarrafive wliii-li is now for the first tiiiic ])rintcjl, 
\)) supplies a vacaiicv whicii lias always been felt bv the 
(it J '^ historian 111' the Revolution in the Sontheni States. 
jTS/ History, sono-^ and tradition have each done sonietliing 
f to perpetuate the reeollectiou of the deeds of one 
whose name lias (M^iie to us linked with all that is cruel and 
rapacious in a war of tlie most fratri<'i(lal character; but no 
authentic detailed account of his life has up to the pre.-ent 
time Ijeen made public, and but few of t.lie jiarticulars of his 
career during the war are generally known. 

All who have written of D.wid Fanning, the Tory, have 
assigned liiin a high rank in the annals of infamy, and none 
who read his own account of himself and his " services" will 
hesitate to admit that he has lieeii 

'• hy merit raised 
To that bad emiueuce." 

The frankness with wliich lie narrates his adventures, and 
speaks of the cold-blooded murder of his neighbors and fel- 
low-citizens, is only equalled by the self-satisfaction which 
he exhibits at the close of his address " To the Reader," in 
using the words of the Psalmist as applicable to himself, as 
the " perfect" and the " upright man." 

Eesides what he has written, the following account of him 
(principally traditionary) is that whi{;h is best authenti- 
cated. 

David Fanning was boiMi in .lohnstoii county, ^i. C, 



[ •- ] 

aliiiiit tlio yciir lTr)4, of i^hscnre ll;lr(•nt;l^■(^ IIo was 
;i]i]irciitii-(Ml til u Mr. Uryaiit, tVoiii whom, on aci-ount of 
liarsli trcatinciit. lie ran away, w licii aliout sixteen or 
seventeen yt'afs ot' aii'c His inisei'aiiie condition I'xeiteil 
eoinjiassion, anil seenivil for iiini a t(>inporafy home at tiie 
house of -lolin ( ). Deniell, of tlie Haw l''ieliis, in (h-ani;'c 
connty. 

IJe iiad tile sealil liead, liad lost nearly all his liair, and 
the sealj) was so oll'ensive that he lievef ate at the talile 
with the family or sle|it in a IkmI. In siiliseipient lite he 
wore a silk ea]), and his most intimate friends never saw his 
head naked. 

In the eourse of two or three years after his elopenient 
tVom his ma-ter he went to Sdulh ("arolimi, enu'a^i'c^d in traf- 
tickinu: with the Catawlia Indians, ai-(|nire<l iH-operly, and 
settled on llaelinrirs Creek, a liraneh ot' Keedy ri\'er, in 
Laurens Distriel. ( )ii his return tVom a tradini;' excursion, 
at the lieii'iniunL',- of the difHculties with the mother countrv, 
he was met hy a party of lawless lellows who called them- 
selves W'lii^s, and rohhed liy them of every tliinj;' he had. 
I'reviously to this he had preterred to he a Whii;, hut, ex- 
asperated at the ontrau'c perpetrated hy these despt'radoi'S, 
he chaiiii'ed sides, and duriiiij; a series of years availed him- 
self of evi'ry ()i)portuiiity to wreak his vengeance on his 
I'ormer friends. 

TIk' di'feat of th(> Tories at Kinu'V l\[onntain disheartened 
them lor anv ^reat etl'oris afterwards in North Carolina, 
and they iiexcr aiiain assendiled in any lari;'e immhers in 
that State. In \~S-2 l'"anninji' wiait to Cliarleston, S. ('., 
and from thence to St. .\iii;aistine. in Morida. l'"rom thence, 
at the cl<ise ot' the war, tindini;- that all hopes of his returninn- 
to his nali\-e State were remoscd hy the action of the Lcifis- 
laturc, which made an exception of him in their acts of am- 
nesty, he went to New Hnuiswick, ami Sahine says: "He 
lived some vears in (.^hiccn's count v, and was a meiidier of the 



[xi ] 

House of Assembly, but in IT'.tO removed to Nova Sfotia, 
where he was a Colonel in the militia. He died at Digl>y, 
Nova Scotia, in 1825." 

Canithers has sifted and garnered the traditions of the 
times with remarka])le fulness and diseriminalion, and inter- 
woven record evidence, but recently discovered, elucidating 
and contirming much that was previously obscure and 
d.jul)tfuL Tle'^is sustained by Fanning in every important 
statement l)Ut one. Fanning was not trained in the school 
of M'Girth.but received " l)loody instructions" from an abler 
and more distinguished man. AViliiam Cunningham, the 
Captain of the "Bloody Scout," a good memoir of whom 
is a desideratum yet to l)e supplied by the South Carolina 
Historical Society, before it is too late. Fanning states, in 
the ojjening of his narrative, that after the reduction of 
Charleston (May 1780), "myself and .mc William Cunning- 
ham concluded U) embody a ])arty of men, which we efl'ectod. 
"We determined to take Colonel Williams, of the rebel militia, 
prisoner, and then to join Ca].tain Parish, who was to raise a 
company and assist us." " iiloody I'.ill" and Captain Parish 
(Paris, or Peares, according to varying orthography) were lit 
eompanitms for Fanning. Williams eluded them then, but 
only to fall soon after more gloriously, with the shouts of 
victory sounding his re(piiem, on the well-f(jught battle- 
field of King's ilountain. 

The history of the "narrative" itself; of the imjtortance 
attached to it, by those who had heard of or seen it ; with 
the indefatigable efforts, continued for a long period and at 
last crowned with success, on the part of the gentleman who, 
with the iiulis]jensable untiring s])irit of an antiquarian and 
historian, allowed no diiHeulties to divert him frcmi the ])m-- 
suit. the reader will find in the Introrluetion by Mr. Wheeler. 
One thinf seems reniarkable ; that, although tlie existence of 
this manuscript was known to persons interested in the his- 
tory of North Carolina, yet it must have entirely escaped the 



[ -i ] 



kiidwli'ilm' *il' Mr. Saliiiu"; lor allliouirli lio says, in tlu- ]iri'f;U'0 
to Ills " Skotclus ot' Aiiu'ric:m Loyalists," tliat "I li\('il in 
tlio oastiMMi imrtion of the I'nitcd States, onjovi'd \\\v and 
constant intfivonrsc ^vitii jiersons nt' Loyalist descent, liavo 
had the use of fanuly jiapers and of rare doeunieuts, have 
made jonrnevs to confer with the livin<;', and ]>iliiriniaii'es to 
graveyards to conijilete the records of the dead." yet ho 
makes no mention of tlu' existence of this nari-ative; and, 
in addiiion to tiial which i-^ above (juoted, has onlv to sav tor 
the hioo-raphy of David Fannino', that "He was an otlicer 
nnder the crown durin-i,' tin- war, and at its close settled in 
New !>nm-wick." 

Hy the ilate of his address "To the Readei-," it will be seen 
that the narrative was written in ITi'i'. An examination and 
coniparison ot' tlu> Index and text will give reason to believe 
that the order of the narrati\ e was first arranged in his mind, 
aud the Index made ont. as containing the most imjnirtant 
events connected with this period of ids lite, in the order in 
which they occurred; and when the work was being executed 
he t'ailed to find many of the documents which he had in- 
tended to embody in his account, among whii-h were included 
the letters, proclamations, speeches, and petitions, which are 
indicated in the Index by an *, but which cannot be found 
in the text. Those ]iarts of the Index might have been 
onntted; but deenung it proper to print the \\liole ]iaper as it 
was made out by the author, I have preserveil the whole 
arrangemeut of title, address to the reader, index, anil text, 
just as he had it. not altering a single word or lettei- from 
the eopy. A \ery few tyiiographical erroi-s of a single letter 
occur, but these are too a]iparent to be pointed out. 

Tliis narrative gi\e- many details of events which have 
escaped the historian, and records acts of heroism and in- 
stances of surtering on the part of those who. in the Southern 
8tate<. oli'ered ni> their all as a sacrifice to secure the inde- 
pendence ol' the American colonies. Ibit the patriot and 



[ --iii ] 

tlie ijliilantliro])ist miint always rej^ret that the striigglos of 
those who, in tlie contest with Great Britain, elicd tiieir bi<jo(] 
on every battle-field, both in their own section and that of 
the Noi-th, for the freedom of the whole country, were pro- 
ductive only of a change of mas'ers with thein ; for soon 
after tiirowing off the yoke of Old England, they were, 
through adroit management and cunning legislation, made 
to assume that of New England; and ere the actors en- 
gaged in tlie first struggle had all passed from the stage of 
life, their children had to draw tlic sword ti^ jiroteet their 
homes and firesides from a foe wlio, fattened uj^on their sub- 
stance, and grown insolent by successes, attempted to impose 
on them burdens more odious than those which they refused 
to bear from that nation to whom they owed their existence 
as a people. And the->e impositions on the part of the North 
have at last culminated in the final and iiTcvocable separa- 
tion from them of those to whoui they should have clung 
with more than maternal love. And, alas I their mad eflorts 
to subdue those who now stand in the attitude of rebels 
towards thein, have brought about the re-enacting of scenes 
such as those disclosed by our veracious chronicler; and 
although we still have greatly the advantage in the battles 
fought up to this time, yet. Virginia invaded, Maryland 
ovei-powered, and Kentucky divided against lierself, have 
realized all the hoiTors of civil war as told by Fanning, with 
other scenes at the recital /jf which decency revolts, and be- 
fore th(! perpetrators of them even the 'J'ories of the first 
revolutionary war migiit "hide their diminished heads;" 
while the faithful historian of tlnV ]M.rti(;ii of our country's 
annals will blush i'<>r his race when he records the deeds of 
those who, (calling themselves L'nion men, cling to the old 
government, as did the Tcjries of Fanning's time, and in the 
name of loyalty rob and torture and lay waste the property 
of those who have dared to assert and endeavor to maintain 
their rights as freemen. 



[ -^iv ] 

Tlie present may seem an inappropriate time to attend to 
]ireservin<x the history of our former r-trnii'gle for iiulepend- 
ence ; and it must he admitted that wliile a eountrv is eii- 
ii-aged in a furinus war. with a foe who nnites to all the 
rancor of ditforenee of race the rage of the pirate at the 
escape of his destined \i«-tims, it is hardlv a titting time to 
contribute to the historical literature of our cotmtrv. But 
when we recollect how liable to loss and destruction, espe- 
cially at such periods, are all nuinuscript records, a reason is 
at once given for oonsiginug them to "the art jn-eservative 
of all arts," to prevent their total loss. For this reason, and 
with the hojie that this effort may eontribnte something to 
the history of one of the States now fonning a ]iart of the 
new Confederacy, is this pamjihlet distributed. 

In making out the notes illustrative of the history of jicr- 
sous named in the text, I have derived the greater portion 
of the information from Sabine's Loyalists, l.ossing's Field- 
Book of the Kcxolution, and Gibbes" Historical Documents 
of South Carolina. 1 am al>o indebted to Hon. L. I). Swain, 
cx-governor of North Caroiimi, for many of the notes, which 
are ]irinted entire as he wrote them, and for the synopsis of 
the lite of Fauning, as given in the preface. 

T. II. \y. 

ElCHMONO. .V(>C. '2ot/l, 1S('>1. 



r^*> > 



■<J> ■ 









INTRODUCTION. 



BY JOll^' 11. WHEELER. 



Ci'\ ^11 E name of Fanning, whose naiTative is lierewitli 
y) preserved, written by liimself, is associated, in tlie 
revolutionary history of North Carolina, with deeds 
of desperate daring, rapine, and cruelty. Since the 
history of Xortli Carolina was jniblished by me f 1851) 
1 have met with a letter from General Alexander Gray to 
Dr. A. Henderson, dated Randolph county, N. C, March 
30th, 1847, whicli gives much information as to the ad- 
ventures and exploits of Colonel Fanning. IJcv. E. W. 
Caruthers, D. D., in a work entitled " Tlie Revolutionary 
Incidents and Sketches of Character, chieHy in the old North 
State," printed in Philadeli>liia (Hayes & Zell, 103 Market 
Street) in i'-.o^, has devoted more than one hundred and fiftv 
pages of his very valuable work to the life and character of 
Fanning. 



[ --vi ] 



In |ir('|i;irinu' inallcr I'ui- ;i scccuiil cililiori uf in v lli^torv ol" 
Ntirlli (':i.nilin;i, as I li>lt salislicd llnil llic skcl.'li (.1' l'"annilig 
I liail |ircsrntr(l ol' liini niidi'i' Clialhani (Vuiiilv f-M Vdl. S4-) 
was not coniiili'lc, and not sat islactoi'v i'\cn to nivsidl', willi- 
(iu( lliis narralivc, wliicii I l<ncw1nid Keen wrillcn, ami which 
wa- in cxislcnri', I made sonu' t'li'nrlN to dhlain a ciipv id' it. 
r>nl tiiolVccI this sccnu'd alnidsl hci|i(dcss. I had srrn a r>i\i\ 
ol' a li'tliM- I'iMni l''anidni;- to \lr\ . lloiscv W'its, dated in 
I S ■_''_>, in whiili lie (K'idarcd that lie " wnnld not h't an\ niic 
have it c.n an\ lu't'liaici' w hat^ncx ("r" tliat he had rct'nscd ti\ c 
hundi-i'd duHars I'or it. I xisitcd St. Johns, in thr l!ritish 
pro\inct' dl' Ni'w l!rnn^-\\i(k, near which l^'anninii' lixcil and 
died, Imt was not r-nccc>sl'nl in this ohjcct. 

Al'ici- l'"annini;V death \in IS-_',"o, his son, who. Or. (^aru- 
thei-> states, "■ was a rniiiiii' Mhler in tlie chnrch and an es- 
tiniahle man,"" did not -.eiaii to value >o highly this ini|iortant 
lia]ier, which with other docninents ol' his father came intt) 
Ins i>oss(>ssion. He allowed rortei' ('. Bliss, Ksi]., who was 
enii>lo\i'il hv tlu' Massachusetts Historical Society to collect 
authentic materials ol" the early history ot' our Nation, to 
make a eo|i\, which he did, as he int'ormed me, I'lrhd/iiii if 
lltt'i'iitiii) — not correcting;- the many errors in orthograiibv 
and ^rannnar w ith wliiidi it alioumU. I copied this nnsell" 
carel'ulh. W hen I lirst heard of this manuscript copv, it 
was in the hands ot' lion. (ieo. liain'rol't, in New \ ork. I 
wrote to Mr. llancrol't, w iih the approhat ion ot' Mr. l-!liss, 
who at the time was engai^cd in a re>|ionsiMe position in the 
Indian liureau of the Intei'iiii- l>epartment in Wasliinijlon 
CitN. aiul is now attached \o the American Legation at 
l'ra:-il. Mr. Hanci-ot't immediately replied, testitying to tlie 



[ -^vii ] 

authenticity, fidelity, and value of the manuscrij)t ;* and 
throni;;li Mr. Bliss's efforts it was forwarded to nie. My ex- 
ertions to procure this pajier had been stiniuluted by a hotter 
to me from Governor Swain, dated Ifith April, 18(il, in 
wliicii he says: " I have; known of the existence of the ]''an- 
ning manuscript for nearly tiiirty years; and have made 
repeated eft'orU, unfn/ccesxfif/Zi/, to olitain a copy. ^ My last 
attempt was tliree or four years ago, through Dr. Sparks, of 
Boston." 

When Judge Mur])hy, a few years before his death, was 
collecting materials for history, he made an effort through 
Hon. Archibald McBride, of Moore county (in (Jongrci-s from 
1809 to 1S13), to obtain a copy of Fanning's narrative. lie 
could get nothing exce])t tlic lojlow ing letter, wliicli ha^. been 
published in the University Magazine, and also in ( arnllicrs's 
work : 

DiGBv \r,//, Ma;/ l.S2'2 
*' Dear Sie 

The letten? you sent thc appears to be a request of some 
gentleman in North Carolina, or elsewhere to get holt of my 
Joni'iial, (jr the narrative of mv scrvis. During the time of 



* The follovving note from Mr. Bancroft will testify to the vjiliie lie placeil on 
the narrative : 

"New York, April 20, imi. 
My dkar Mh. Wheelkr: 

I have yours of April 19th. Having only hail permission of Mr. Bli.ss to 
keep the MS. for a short season, I returned it almo.sl immediately to Mr. Peane., 
from whom 1 received it. The journal mu.ft be printed. 

Yours truly, 

OEa Baxcrojt." 
John II. VriiC'kT, Kfq. 

3 



[ xviii ] 

the American Tiebcllinii. I nin iiiuUt the necessity of say- 
iiii; tliat T would not Let any man have it on any pretence 
whatsoever, Fnhvs I was well informed of tlie nse that was 
to li(> made of it. ^'o\i can say to the Gentleman that I now 
have a narrative^ of the Transactions of tliat war. Both of 
North and South Caroiinas; and if any gentleman wishes to 
know from mc ot' any jiarticnlar transaction, or the Date, by 
IKdiitiui;- it out to me, I nuiy give the information of it, if it 
Hon't operate against my Coming hack to look after my 
property. ^ ou may say. that my Journal contains more 
than one Quire of Fools ("ap ]iaper Closely wrote, and it 
would take a good ]>ens man a month to write it over, fit to 
send to the world abroad. I was t>tl'ered, l>y Charles Cook 
in England tifty jiounds sterling for my Journal to liave it 
published, and I Refused him. Colonel McDougal Desired 
me not to Insert in it, any thing of his Servessas ; as he in- 
tended going back to Nortli Carolina, to Live, and he knows 
that 1 have a Narrative of all the Transactions. If he should 
want any thing of the kind froui me, he should write to me 
himself. It' any ]>erson wishes to jirove any tiling false, 
respecting the conduct of the Torys. let him point what it is, 
and I will endeavour to give him tlie truth. 

1 am dear Sir \ our obetlient Servant 

D.wii) Faxning. 

V. S. I believe there is some more meaning in the letters 
than I understand ; the word Memorial of my life or a word 
to that ert'ect, that I don"t understand. I have hurt my 
aukil and knee, so I cannot come to see you. Koss said y<.)u 
wanted to answer them by ]iost. 

Tc the /i'< (•'</ lioqer Vct't/t. 



[ xix ] 

With every reader of the revDhitiimury liistorv nf Nortli 
Carolina, so full of thrilling incidents and ]iatri(itisni, I feel 
mncli gratitieatitm in rescning fnini (il)livi(in this nai'rative 
of one, about whom so niiieh and varied tradition exists in 
our State ; and which, from its minuteness in detail, and ac- 
curacy of dates (M'hich have been compared with relial)le 
authorities), may be dejiended upon, as a truthful record. 
Had the daring, desjierate temper of Fanning been elevated 
by education, chastened by religious inHuences, and directed 
in proper and patriotic channels, his name might have been 
associated with that of the Marions and Waynes of the event- 
ful epoch in which he was notorious. 

J.NO. II. WuEELKE. 

M>irfrre.sJ>oro\ Ilerifonl Co., N. C. 
Uli Juiu\ 1801. 



NARRATIVE 



OF 



COL'O DAVID FANNING 



WIUTTEN-BY IIIMSKr.F 



DETAILING ASTONISHING EVENTS 



IN NO. CA. 



FROM 177 o TO 1783. 






TO THE READEK. 



Courteous Reader, 

whoever thou art, the Author being only a Farmer 
bred, and not conversant in learning, thou mayVt think that 
the M'ithiu Journal is not authentic. But it may be de- 
pended u[>on on that every particular herein nientidiied is 
nothing but the truth ; Yea, I can boldly assert that I have 
undergone much more tlian what is herein mentioned. 

liebelli(in according to Scripture is, as tlie Sin of witch- 
craft ; and the propagators thereof, has more tlian once 
punished ; which is dreadfully exemplified this day in the 
now United States of America but formerly Provinces ; 
for since their Independence from Great Britain, they have 
been awfully and visibly punished by the fruits of the earth 
being cut off; and civil dissention every day prevailing 
among them ; tlieir faij- trade, and commerce almost totally 
ruined; and nothing prospering so much as nefarious and 
rebelions Smugling. Whatever imperfections is in the 
within, its hoped will lie kindly overlooked by the courteous 
Keader, and attributed to the Author's want of learning. 

I do not set forth anv thing as a matter of amusement. 



but ■what is really, justly fact, that mv transactions and 
scenes of life have hecu as herein nivi-rated during the term 
of the Rebellion ; and that conduct, resolution, and courage 
pertorm wonderous things beyond credibility, the following 
of which laudable deeds will give them, are exercized there- 
in the Experience that I have gained. 

In the 19th year of my age. I entered into the TVar ; and 
piMceeded from one step to another, as is herein mentioned, 
and at the conclusion thereof was forced to leave the place 
of my nativity for my adherence to the British Constitution ; 
and after my sore fatigues, I arrived at St. John Eiver; 
and there with the blessing of God, I have hitherto enjoyed 
the sweets of peace, and freedom under the benevolent aus- 
jiices of the British (.Tovernment — which every loyal and 
true subject may enjoy with me, is the wish of the Atithor. 

J\iii(ji's Cuoifi/ David Fa^-xixg. 

JTeir BrunsH'H'k 
June at/, 1790. 

rSALM 37 i 37. 

•• Mark tlie perleot raan. .ind behold the upriglii ! for the end of thai man is 
|x\ieo." 



(^^a 







INDEX 



The Narrative of David Fanning . 

Major Robinson took the coniiuand 

The first time my being talien 

My going to the Indians 

John Torl< in East Florida . 

Colo. Mills taken 

Gilliam took me . 

My wounds dicsscd 

Treaty witii the rebel. Colo. Williams 

The reduetionof Charleston 

Colo. Innis' Kngagement in South Carolina 

Went to Peep River, North Carolina 

Col. Hamilton's advertisement 

A skirniisli with Duck 

Joined Lord Cornwallis 

A skirmish with (!,-ipt. John Hinds 

The Three Skirmislics . 

The Skinni.>ih with Collier, and Balfour 

My appointment from J. H. Craigg 

A copy of the commission, I gave 

The names of the different OlBcera 

Chatliam taken .... 

The Regulations of the Loyalists 

The oath to the Loyalists . 

Engagement with Col. Alston 

Co|)y of a parole . 

Major Cage's letter 

Col. Slingsby wounded 

Tlie Kngagement with Wade 

McDougald and McNeal jom me 

My advertisement 

Hillsborougli ta'fien, (Gov. taken prisoner) 

Colo McNeal kil'cd. and myself wounded 

Skirmish with Neal 

J. II. Craigg's letter . 

Colo Edmund Tanning's letter 

Capt. Jo! in Loggetts' letters 

Colo. itcDougal's list of Officers 

Colo. McNeal's do do 

The Volunteers from Wilmington 



1 
3 
3 

4 
5 
1 
9 
11 
11 
II 
12 
13 
13 
14 
14 
15 
15 
17 
18 
19 
19 
24 
24 
27 
27 
28 
29 
31 
31 
32 
32 
33 
34 
34 
3fi 
37 
37 
37 
37 
37 



[ -^--^vi ] 



Pid'orcnt skirmishes witli Ruthcrlbni's 

Koliol iiro('l:iination 

& Col. Isaacs IVom tlio mountains 

SIcirniislu's with tlic Kobcls 

Golstons's House Inirnt and two Kebcls killed 

Terms required by lue of the Kcbels 

■Williams auswer 

Ramsev's Letters 

\Villiaiiis, Hurns, A- Clarke's letter 

Capt. Liiiley murdci'ed, and two men lianged for 

Col. Alston eame to mo 

My aitieles jiresented again 

General Uutler's letter 

Walker, and Ctu'rio's skirmishes with the Rebels 

liallbur killed .... 

Bryan killed .... 

Rebel Commisary hanged 

Capt. Williams from Gov'r to mo. 

Gritlith's Letter .... 

Rosur ami Goldston's letter.s 

Capt Duiiii's aud Guins letter . 

The answer from the Asseuiblay . 

Myself married, & Capt. Hooker killed 

The forpx^d letters 

My answer in Major Rains name 

My riilin;A' Mare taken . 

Hunter aud Williams letter. 

My arrival in Charleston 

The names of the gentlemen Committee in Charl 

* Rebel proolaniation . 
Kmbarked for Kast ]''lorida 

* Major Uevoiee's Articles . 
A certilieate of my Services signed by officers in 
An estimate of my property 

* King's ^Speech .... 

* My speech to the iidiabitants . 

* Myself aud others set out for Kast Florida 

* My arrival at Xew I'rovideuce . 
Col. Hamilton's letter . 
My Memorial to the Commissioners 
Lieut. Colo. McKay s letters 
Commissiouer", ivrtilicato . 
Memorial for half pay to Sir George Young 

* My letter to George Randal 
The Rebel .\ct of oblivion . 

* Rebel Petition 

* Mr. Kranson's letters 

* William Tcague's letter . 



ston 



East 



Florida 



3S 
39 
SO 
41 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
46 
47 
49 
50 
51 
51 
52 
52 
53 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
5S 
59 
59 
61 
61 

63 

63 
64 



65 
66 
67 
69 
67 

70 



* The subjects uuuicd iu thcde are not to bo louod iu the texL 






im^ 



&^. 




A JOURTn^AL of 
COL. DAVID TANNING'S TRANSACTIONS, 

DURING THE LATK WAR, IN' AMERICA; FROM THE YEAR 1775, 
COMMENCING 1st OF MAY; UNTIL THE PEACE. 




|^>o<^;^/,^ 



fS^'^S>o^:''^r^^^- THOMAS FLEACIIALL' of Fair- 
forest, oi'dercd the diti'ereiit Caj^tains to 
call iiiusters, and present two papers for 
the iidiabitants to sign. (_)ne was to see 
Mho was friends to tlu; King and Gov- 
ernment ; and the other was to see who 
wonld join the Rebellion. 
The first day of Ma}*, Capt. .James Lindley of liubern's 
Creek, sent to me, as I was a Sergeant of the said comi)any, 
to have his company warned to meet at liis house 15tli of 
said montli. I did accordingly, and presented two papers; 
there was 118 men signed in favour of the King, also de- 
clared to defend the same, at the risk of lives and proj^erty, 
in July 1775. Thei-e was several advertisements set up in 
ever}' part of said district, that there was a very good pres- 
petearing minester to call at the Different places, to preach, 
and Baptise children. 

But at the time appointed, instead of meeting a Minister, 
we all went to meet two Jews by name of Silvedoor and 
llapely ; and after making many speeches in favour of the 
Rebellion, and used all their endeavors to delude the 
people away, at last presented Revolution papers to see who 



w 



L 2 J 

wcniltl sij;n tlieni ; tliov wore severely reprcmaniled by 
lloiirv (>"ne:ir' aiul many otliers. It came so high, tliat 
they had mucli aihie to ovt oil", with tlieir lives. The 
Kehels then t'onnd tiiat we were fnlly determined to ojipose 
them. Tliey be-xan to endiody in the last of said montli ; 
to eonipel all to join tliem, or to take away onr arms. (>ur 
otlieers g'ot word of their intentions. 1 then got onK'rs 
from the Caiitain to warn the ]\lilitia to asseinlile them- 
selves at Ilngli ()"nears mill; whieli was done by several 
C'a}>tain"s eom|)anys, and eontinned lor several days nnder 
arn\s; and then both ]iarties was determined tm this eoiidi- 
tion, that neither parties shonld intercept each i_>ther. 
This continued for some time, until the Jxebels had taken 
Thomas l?rowu.' who after that had the lumor to be Colonel 
(>f the Kegiment of the East Florida Rangers, at Augusta. 
They burnt his feet, tarred, feathered and ent oti" his hair.' 
After that he got so he was able to set on horsebaek, he 
eatue to onr ]ioast, and the TJebels then began to embody 
again. Col'n Fletehall found a large eamp, and niarelied 
trom the Liberty Springs to ^fill (^reek on our way towards 
Ninety-Si.x ; Twelve nules from Ninety Si.x the Rebels 
found they were not strong enough tor us. and sent an 
E.xpress to t\>l"n Fletehall to eome and treat with them, 
whieh said Fletehall did. Rut the terms of their treat- 
ment I did not know. "We were all disnusscd until further 
orders. Tn a short time at>er the Rebels took Capt. Robert 
CuTiningham* and earrieil him oH' to Charlestown. Onr 
party was then informed of his being taken off in the night 
time, and by nniking inquh'v atYer him, we got inf(.)nnation 
of a large quantity of .\nunonition. that was there, on its 
way to the Chereehee Nation for Capt. Richard Paris to 
bring the Indians down into the settlement, where the 
friends of the Government lived, to murder all they eond. 
"We interee]Ued the amonition and took Capt'n R. Paris, 
who swore to these facts. AVe there fn-med a large camp. 



L '-5 J 

and Col. Flctcliall \)Oau^ ro licavy, Ik: fjjavc up the command 
to Maj. Joseiili Iloliinsoii.' 

In tli(! montli of Nov'r 1775, the South Carolina IVlililia, 
of which I was at that time Sergeant, under tlic command 
of Major Joseph Robinson, laid scige to a Fort, erected \>y 
the llebels at Ninety-Six; comirianded by Col. Mason: 
which continued for the space of three days, and three 
nights — at the ex})iration of which time tlie Rebels were 
forced to surrender, ami give ujj the Fort and Artillery. 
Major Robinson then ordered the Militia to tlu; North side 
of Saluda River, and discharged them, for eighteen days. 
Afterwards orders were issued for every Captain to collect 
their res])ective companies at Ilondrick's Mill, about 20 
miles from Ninety-Six ; The Rebels having received intel- 
iigence of our intended motion, they innnediately marched 
before us ; and took possession of the ground, which pre- 
vented our assembling there. But about o(»0 of our Men 
met at Little Riven- and marched from thence to Reedy 
River; and encamjjcd at tlie Big Cane Break, for several 
days. The Rebels being informed of our situation, marched 
unexpectedly upon us, and made prisoners of 130 of men ; 
the remainder fled into the woods and continued there, 
with the Chericliee Indians until the IHth Jan'y 177*5; 
when I was made a ])risoner by a party of Rebels com- 
manded by a Captain John Burns ; who after detaining me 
four days, repeatedly urging me to take the oath of alle- 
giance to the United States, stript me of every thing, and 
made me give security, for my future good behaviour, by 
which means I got clear; On the 10th of May 1770 hearing 
the Rebels had issued a proclamation to all the friends of 
government, offering them pardon and protection, provided 
they would return to their respective habitations and re- 
main neutral, this induced me for to return to my home, 
where I ari'ivcd on the 15th of June. 



L ^ ] 

On the 20tli, tlie Reliels being apprehensive of the Clier- 
ichee Indians breakino- out, despatched several emissaries 
aniono- the Loyalists, for to discover their intentions. One 
of which was Caj)!. Eitchie, wlio came to nie, and told me 
he was a friend to (lovernment, and sometime before 
left the Indian Nation, and then Maiited a pilot to con- 
duct Iiim to the Indian Nation again. I agreed to conduct 
him to any part of the country he wanted for to go to, pro- 
vided he would keep it secret. This lie promised for to do. 
But immediately he went and lodged information against 
me, and swore that I then had a company of men, ready 
in order, for to join tlie Indians. In consequence of this, I 
was nuide prisoner again, on the '2oth, liy a Capt. John 
Rogers, and thrown into close continement with three cen- 
tinels over me. On the 1st of July, the Indians came 
down into the back country of South Carolina, and killed 
several families; at whicli time, the rebel camp being in 
great conftisinn, I made my escape, and went tii mv own 
hiiuse at Rabirn's creek ; but finding a number of my friends 
had already gone to the Indians, and more disposed so tor to 
dii, I got twenty-live men to join me; and on our arrival at 
Parishies plantation, c-n Reedy River, in the Indian land, we 
formed a junction with the Indians, on the lOtli inst., in the 
evening; tlie niiHtia and the Cherickees to amount of 260 
surrounded the tort built with logs, containing 450 of the 
Rebels. After a smart lire on botli sides for two hours and 
a half, we retreated without any injury except one of the 
Indian Chiefs being shot through the hand. I then left the 
Indians and persued my way to North Carolina ; where, on 
my arrival, I was taken up again, and close confined ; but 
was rescued by my friends, three different times. Alter 
whicli I made my escape good. I then endeavored for to 
go home again ; and after experiencing numberless hardships 
in the woods, I arrived the lUth of March, 1777, at Rebun's 
ci'eek, South C;u-oliua. 



L 5 J 

I -n-as made prisoner acjain on tlie lltli. by a Capt, Smith, 
bound band and toot, and carried nnder guard, towards 
Ninety-six goal; after niarcbing twelve miles, the company 
baited for the evening, and watching an opportunity, I cut 
the ropes I was bound witii, and stript myself when the guard 
was asleep, I threw myself out of the window and returned 
cack to Reburn's creek, by a ditferent way, from that which 
they had carried me prisoner. I was obliged now for to 
secret myself in the woods, and was supplied with provition 
by some Qiiakers, and other Loyalists, in the neighbourhood. 

A company of loyalists, of which I was one, was then 
raised by a Richard Parish, and it was determined to go to 
Mobile, and join the British army. One of the company 
proving treacherous, gave information to the rebels, who 
raised a body of troops for to sujjpress ns. They took me, 
with five more prisoners, and carried ns to Ninety-si.x goal, 
on the 5th Angust, 1777. Captain Parish escaped with 
some loyalists, belonging to the compan}-, and made his 
way good to the British army at Mobile, in West Florida. 
Myself, with five others, who were taken, remained in close 
confinement, nntil November following, and we were tried 
for our lives, on a charge of High Treason, for rising in arms 
against the United States of America; but ■n-ere acquited 
and went home. The fees and expenses of my confinement 
amounted to £300, Vii'ginia money, allowing dollars at six 
shillings each, which I paid, and was then ordered back to 
the goal for the rent of the room. 

On the 1st of March, 1778, Capt. John Tork, of East Flori- 
da, received orders ii'om the commander-in-chief for the 
Loyal Militia, of Georgia, and South Carolina, to assemble 
themselves. Accordingly, they were embodied. — The major- 
ity of the people chose me their commanding officer, we 
took a number of prisoners, furnished ourselves with horses, 
and marched to Savannah river on the borders of Georgia, 
(two miles above Augusta^ Capt. Tork, who was our 



[ 6 ] 

pilot, then srot discouraged, and would not suffer anv of 
the militia to proceed with him back to East Florida 
except three men ; we were then under the necessity of re- 
turning home, upwards of one hundred miles, through the 
rebel country ; and betake ourselves to the woods as for- 
merly. During our retreat, we were persued by three hun- 
dred rebels ; but we got back home to Reburn's creek safe. 
When the Rebels found we were returned, they raised a 
body of men tVir to take us : and for the space of three 
months kept so constant a look out that we were obliged for 
to stay in the woods : six weeks of which time I never saw 
a man. except Samuel Brown (who was afterwards killed at 
Tiger river. ) that shared my sufferings : we lived entirely 
without either bread or salt, upon what M^e killed in the 
wilderness. AVe determined, let the consequences be Mhat 
they would, to proceed to the settlement of Green river, 
North Carolina, where we rested ourselves at a friend's 
house, about a week. Here we parted. I then proceeded 
to Tiger river, where I ain-ived safe on the 1st of June, 1778. 
Myself, and Samuel Smith, now associated, and were taken 
by a company of rebels commanded by a Capt. Goiry. 'We 
made our escape the second night, by bribing the sentinel, 
and parted company. I met with one of the horses belong- 
ing to the rebels, about a mile from the house I had escaped 
from, and mounted him. They pei-sued me through the 
woods by the hoi-se's tracks, upwards of seventy miles, and 
came to Reburn's Creek, where 1 lived. They were anxious 
to recover their horse from me. and promised for to return 
one of the four they had taken from me, if I would deliver 
up the said horse. This being agreed upon, I went with 
them for to receive my own horse Lack ; Mhen we had ad- 
vanced 30 miles we came near to where a rebel fort was ; I 
desired them to go, a little out of the way, and avoid it, 
which they had promised to do before we proceeded on our 
journey. One of them laid hold of my hoi-se's bridle, and 



[ ~ ] 

told me to surrender myself a prisoner, for tliev were deter- 
mined to confine me in the Fort, or carry nie to Ninety Six 
goal, about <S() miles ciff. They said I was not in that 
damned tory country at that time. I, therefore, after some 
conversation, concluded to submit for to be disarmed at the 
time, as they threatened l.)lowinn; a bull through me every 
instant, if I did not surrender ; which I did. On my arrival 
at the Foi't, I was stript of my clothes, and contined close 
'till morning, Mhen they tied my legs under a horse's belly, 
and took me before a magistrate to commit me to goal. 
However I was admitted to bail for my good behaviour. 
On my return to the people, who took my horse, and clothes, 
and asking for them, I was retaken before another magis- 
trate, and committed to goal, under a strong guard. On 
my proceeding towards the goal, the guard was particularly 
careful about securing me ; and in order for to do it, the 
more effectually tied me with a rope, to a stout fellow who 
was one of them. When I found him asleep, I took the 
opportunity to cut myself loose with a knife (or rather with 
a pair of horse fleames) which was aceidently left lying in 
the road, and throwing myself out of the window made ray 
escape, and took to tJie mountains for shelter. I continued 
there, for some time, when Col. Mills of the Loyal Militia on 
knowing where I was, proposed at several meetings, we had, 
to raise a company ; which we did, of 500 men, for the pur- 
pose of going to St. Augustine. One of the company proved 
faithless, and gave information to the Kebels, who imme- 
diately embodied themselves, and took Col. Mills prisoner, 
with IG of the company, and carried them off to Salisbury 
Jail. Myself with 14 more persued about 20 miles with an 
intention of rescuing them, until we were in sight of Gilbert 
Town; where the Rebels had a guard ; and finding we could 
not effect our purpose at that time, our numliers being so 
small, and theirs increasing, we returned back. Tlie Rebels 
persued us all night, and in the morning, we perceived them 
5 " 



[ ^ ] 

wiiliin shot ol" \>s ; \vc tirod upon tlioin, wliioh tliev returned ; 
;vnii oontinuod skinuislung with thorn in tlio woods about an 
hour; when thoy rotroatod. Whut injurv \vo did tlieni we 
oo\iUl nv>t toll : on tnir part wo sntiorod no los*. Iloro our 
party so]>aratod. 1 niado way tor Ilolston Kivor about 140 
niilos throuiih tho wood>^l had prooooded about 40 miles 
on n>y way. whon I was mot by tlireo men ; ono of whioh 
know mo. Ho oamo to mo, with soominii tViondship, and on 
takiusi' my hand, oallod his oompanions to assist him in so- 
ourins:' mo ; whioh thoy ditl ; and made me a jmsonor. 
Thoy tied my hands behind my baok, and feet to eaoh other 
tmder tho horses belly and ti>ok me tv> Ninety-Six Jail ajrain, 
wheiv I was olosoly oontined for 17 days. During my oon- 
tinomont I srv>t aoquaintoil with a friend to tho g(>Yernment. 
who lived thoiv, by talking tv> him tluvugh the grates; He 
turnishod mo with two tiles and a knito. by whioh means I 
out through tho iron bai-s and osoaj^e^l. I ivtunied again to 
Koburn's (.'iwk and attor remaining some tinie in tho woods 
tlioiv. 1 was advised by friends for to make poaoe with Capt. 
trillian. who oommauded a oompany of Kebols on the In- 
dian lines. Ho I dui-st not Iv seen by any one ot' the Kebel 
]nirty. 1 got ono of n\y friends to go to him. and desire him 
to meet me al<>no. at a partioular plaoe. and give him my 
woixl 1 would not injuiv him. We mot at'oonlingly. and 
pas.<iHl our wonls not tor to disturb or injun' eaoh other. We 
continued our mornings, in the woods, gouenilly. ererv day, 
or two. tor the spaoe of a month ; until we were disotiveivd 
by some of his ivmpany ; who thivatenetl for to have him 
punisluvl for tn^ating with me: however lie still met me, 
now and then, and iniivduoed. a friend of his. to me ; who 
he told i\u\ 1 might depend upon. One day. I observed an 
alteration in their K^hax iout^s. and askevl them when at some 
distauiv. if ho meant for to kee]> his wi>i\l with me. He n.^ 
plieil " by all means." We were all ou horselwek. ami I had 
my ritle aorv^ss my s;iddle. When we woiv gv»ing to part, as 



[9 ] 

I expected, he suddenly scnzcl my rifle ; and the man who 
was witli liim seized hold of my Ijorse's bridh% lie jiresented 
his rifle to iny breast and told me I was lii.-i prisoner, or a 
dead man. I was under the necessity to surrender, and they 
carried me airain to my old (jnarters at Ninety-Six, where 
we arrived on the llth of Dct'r 1778. I was strijiped en- 
tirely naked, tlirown into irons and chained to tlie floor. I 
remained in that situation until the 20th of Dccemher follow- 
in<r, when I again made shift, for to get my irons off, and 
having sawed one of the grates some time before, I again 
escaped by means of a fellow prisoner, who supplied me with 
some old clothes, of which I made a rope to let me down ; I 
received a fall in getting down, but luckily did not hurt my- 
self. The Goalor lieard me fall, and presented a musket at 
me, out of a window ; but I avoided him. He alarmed the 
guard and they persued me ; but however I gf>t clear ofl'. I 
found myself much hurt by a fall I got in their chasing me. 
I got back to Rebum's Creek ; but wa.s taken in three days; 
and again intioduced at Xinety-Six. I was chained and 
ironed as before, in the centre of a room 30 feet square ; 
forty-five from the ground, the snow beating in, througli the 
roof, with 4 grates ojicn night and day. I remained in this 
state eleven days; I got my chains off in the night of the 
12th ; The Goaler did not chain me down again ; but I had 
still part of them remaining on one of my legs, which weighed 
seven pounds and three quarters. I continued loose in Goal 
until the 13th of February 177!i, when I took a bar out of the 
window, in the night, and prised one of the jjlanks out of the 
floor of the Room, and from thence went down stairs ; I 
found the door fast, secured ; but I went to a breach, I had 
formerly made in the back of the chimney, and got out. 
One of my fellow prisoners escaped with me, and we kept 
togetlier for some time after. We found a number of Horses 
grazing in a field belonging to a company of Rebels, under 
the command of Capt. Fair ; who that night come into 



[ 1" ] 

Town. Wo luiuinttMl ciU'li of ns, and rode oi\' to Kclmfn"s 
I'rook. On our \\;iy, we stopped at a house, and t'urnislied 
ourselves with a liitle and a pair of jiistols ; we also t>upplied 
ourselves with elotliing. l\v this time, the nciiihhourhood 
was alarmed, and the rebel militia sent in persuit of us. 
TIiov laid se\eral andnisrades, but without elVeet. and con- 
tinued endiodied, for >i\ months. 1 was st) fortunate as tor 
to e-eape ; hut niv eonipanion was taken. The day after, he 
was taken, I wa< ridiujr through a pieee of tind>ei'ed woods, 
when I diseovered a ]>artv of men — thev diseovereil me, and 
persuod on full speed for seven miles ; hut I was lurky 
enoui:;h to esoape them : Init my Horse fallin<r. threw me, 
and 1 unfortunately lost my ritle. An advertizement was, 
then, made puhlie, l"or appreliendinii' me ; and a reward of 
Seventy silver dollars, and Three Hundred pajier ones, was 
otfered to take me. This made me very cautious, notwith- 
standing which I was betrayed, and fired upon by a party of 
Kobels, in number, sixtiHMi ; I reccivevl two bullets in my 
hack ; one of which is not extracted. I luckily kept my seat 
in the saddle, and rode otf. At\er prot-eeding I'J miles I 
tnrneil my hoi-se into the woods, and remained there eight 
days ; having no support but herbs, except three eggs ; my 
wounds, at this time being troublestnue and otlencive, for 
the want of dressing, 1 got my Iloi-se again, and moved 
about li* miles to a triendV house; where on my arrival, T 
nuide a signal, which they knew, to acquaint them, of my 
being alive — a young girl of fourteen years old, eame to me ; 
but when she came near enough to see me, she was fright- 
ened so ar the sight, she run otf. I pei-sued atVer her on 
horseback, telling her who I was: She said she new it was 
me. but I was dead ; that I was, then, a spirit and stunk yet. 
I was a long time before I could get her to eome to me, I 
looked so much like a rack of nothing but skin and bones, 
and my wounds had not been dressed, and my clothes all 
bloody, ily misery and situation was beyond explanation. 



[ 11 ] 

and no friend in the world that I could depend upon ; How- 
ever, thes* people seeing rne in that distrest -ituation, Ujtjk 
the greatest care of me, and dresst my wounds. My horse 
having heen seen by some of the Rel/el party, they concluded 
I was not killed: and wrote several letters which they gave 
one of my friends, offering to treat with me ; and advising 
me to surrender : threatening at the same time, in case I did 
not, to banish eight families of my friends out of South Caro- 
lina. A limited time was given for my answer, but it had 
expired, l^fore that I received the letters : in consequence 
of which, their threats were put in execution : and the peo- 
ple's properties was taken from them, and they confined. 
On the receipt of my letter, the j^eojjle were liberated, but 
their properties were still detained. 

The second day. after. I treated viih the Colonel of the 
Rebel 3Iilitia, and had an express sent off to Gov. Eutledge 
at Charlesto^^-n, about a week after his answer came }.iack 
with a conditional pardon fV^r that which I had dwie, should 
be forgotton, and that I should live quietly and j>eacefiilly 
at home ; and be obliged to pilot jjarties through the w<x>k 
as occation might require. 

Before I excejited of these conditions, I advised with my 
friends, and company, who all approved of it, as it conduced 
both to their ease, and safety. 

I remained at home a year and twelve days, and was re- 
peatedly urged for to except of a fx>mpany in the Continental 
service, which I always refused. 

After the reduction of Charlestown, myself and one Wil- 
liam Cuningham,' concluded for to embody a party of men, 
which we affected. 

We determined for to take Col'n Williams, of the Rebel 
Militia, prisoner, and then to join Capt. Parish, who was to 
raise a company and assist us. Col'n Williams got notice 
of it, and pushed off; and though we got sight of him, lie 
escaped us. 



[ ^'-^ ] 

"VTe now found ourselves growing strong, and numbers 
flocking dailv to us. 

I theu took the King's proclamations and distributed 
them through the countrv, for upwards of a hundred 
miles. 

C'apt. Parish had command of the partv, and marched up 
to Xinety-six. which he took conunand of. without tiring a 
shot, where I found him again. The day after, we marched 
about 12 miles, to Gen. Williamson's at Whitehall ; who 
conmianded a fort with l-t swivels, and two companies of 
provincial troops. On cur approach, he met us. about three 
miles of the Fort, attended by several officers, requesting he 
might discluu"ge the trinips, and have protection for himself 
and them. 

"We granted him what he requested ; and toot possession 
of the Fort, and their arms, wliich they piled up ; after that 
they marched out of the garrison. 

Three days at\er that. Col. Pickins, with 300 men, marched 
out and laid down their arms. 

General Kobert Cunningham, of the Loyal Militia, now 
took the command : and formed a camp. 

We kept scouting parties, through the country, and had 
many skirmishes : but none of consequence. 

After the British American troops, had taken possession 
of Ninety six. I continueil scoutuig on the Indian lines, 
iintil Col. Imiis forwardeil his march up to Musgrovi Mill, 
on the Innoree River. I then joined them with a party of 
foiuteen men. 

The following morning the picketts were attacked by a 
party of Rebels. CoL lunis ordered us to advance and sup- 
port them, which we did, and followed them until we 
arriveil where the main body lay. under Col. Williams. 
Col. Innis w;\s unfortmiately woimded. with several other 
officers. 

We ensaired them for sometime, and then retreated about 



[ 13 1 

a mile and a (Quarter; where we eiicam])ed and in the night, 
niarclied otf towards Ninety-six, under command uf Capt. 
Depister.' 

The next moniin<x I, and my small ])arty returned hack to 
the Indian lines. AVe continued sconting on the lines, for 
sometime, until I met with Capt. Parish, of the British 
American South Carolina Regiment, who gave nie a list of 
some soldiers that he had pernussion for to visit their triends 
in the country, on the return from Florida to Ninety-six, I 
was desired hv hini for to go to gi\e them notice for to ioin 
their regiments. On this expedition, I fell in with Major 
Forgessons' party, which was defeated, five days afterwards. 
Tlie Rebels after that, began to be numerous and trouble- 
some ; and little or no regulation amongst us, I made the 
best of my way to Deep River, North Carolina, where I 
remained until the month of February, 1781. 

I was, during this time, discovering the disposition of the 
people ; being informed that Lord Cornwallis was mai'ching 
that way, I kept my intentions secret, until I received cer- 
tain accounts. I tlien caused this advertisement to l)e pub- 
lished, and used all my influence to get all the Loyalists to 
join me, and defend ourselves when occasion might require. 
A true copy of which is here set tortli. 

" ADVERTISEMENT. 

If any of his Majesty's loyal and faithful subjects, able 
and willing to serve in the Royal North Carolina Regiment 
commanded by Col. Hamilton, are hereby requested to re- 
pair to his encampment. The Bounty allowed for each man, 
is thi'ee Guineas ; and the terms of the engagement are that 
he shall serve during the Rebellion, and within the Provinces 
of North and South Carolina, and Virginia only ; that 
during his service he shall be entitled to Clothing, Pay, Pro- 
visions, and all the advantages of his Majesty's Regular, and 
Provincial Troops, and at the end of the Rebellion, when ho 



[ l^ ] 

ln\'omo> discliari:;i'(l. ot" coiirsc, lu> i> to roeoive as a n^wanl 
for his scrvii'os ddriiip; tlio war, a tree grant ot' Land auri-oa- 
blc to liis ^[ajosty's })roi'laniatioii." 

Ot' his' iHM-suini;' Gon. Grocne, as tar as llillsltovo. tliis 
struck sucli a terror on iho liobels, and was so iikMsino- to 
ns. that wo in\niodiatci_v disarmed the disaH'iH-toil and oni- 
hodiod about ;>00 men nndor tho connnand of Col. I'vlos. 
Ho fell in wilh a ]iaj-ty of Kobels [Co]. Loo's drae-oons"* and 
lost *_'(' nion killed, besides the wounded, that died after- 
wards. At this time 1 was with a small party at Deep 
luvor, wlioro I took two liobol offioors, ]irisonors and sev- 
eral soldiers. 1 then direetod my maroh where I left Ciil. 
ivies and I'ame within a little distanee of tlio Dragoons, 
that had out him up, wluni 1 was informed of his misfiivtune 
by some of his party that had tied ; we then sei>arated into 
small parties and took to the woods for sometime. 

The day Lord I'ornwallis defeated Gen. Cireene at Guild- 
ford,'" I was sur]^rized by a Captain Duck, with a eompany 
of Kobels. where I sustained a loss of all our Horses, and 
arms ; we had one man killed on each side. 

Tho day t'oUowing, myself, and tiu'oo more of tlie com- 
pany, t'urnished om-^elves with arms, and persued the Rebels, 
who we discovered had gone to their respective liomes with 
their plunder. AVe \ isited one of their houses and found 
the hoi-#es which had been taken from the friends of the 
Government : and discovering one of the said party in an 
out house, I tired at him. and wounded him in the neck 
with buckshot ; but he escaped. We then mounted our- 
selves, and turning the other hoi-ses into the woods, we re- 
turned back to Deoi> l\ivor. "We kept concealed in the 
woods and collected :25 men, having scouts out continuallv 
until we proceeded to DixonV ^[ill. Cane Creek, where Lord 
Cv>rnwallis was there eucann^ed. On our arrival there his 
LiM-dship met us, and asked me several questions respecting 
the situativui of the country, and disposition of the people. 



[ b> ] 

I gave liim all the information in my power, and leaving 
the company with his Lordship, I returned back to Deep 
river in order for to ccHidiiet more men to tlie protection of 
the British arms. 

Two days following, I returned to the army at f'hatlium 
Court house, after being sui-prised and dispersed by the 
Rebel Dragoons ; on my bringing in 70 Loyalists. I joined 
my company again and went with his Lordship, to Cross 
Creek, and as we had lost most of our liorses, we determined 
to return to Deep River, and join his Lordship when on his 
way to Hillsborough. General Green followed his Lord- 
ship as far as Little River, and tiien returned to Ramseys 
Mills on his way to Camden ; his men marched in small 
parties and distressed the friends to Government, through 
the Deep River settlement ; I took 18 of them at different 
times, and paroled them, and after that we were not dis- 
tressed by them for some little time ; after a little whih; 
some of us had assembled at a friends house, where we were 
surrounded by a Jtarty of 14 Tiebels under the command of 
Cajit. .lolin Hinds; we ])erceived their a]>proac]i and pre- 
pared for to receive them; wiien they had got rpiite near us, 
we run out of the df)ors of the house, tired upon them, and 
killed one of them ; on which we took three of their horses, 
and some iii-elocks — we then took to the woods and unfor- 
tunately had two of our little company taken, one of which 
tlie Rebels shot in cold blood, and the other they hung on 
the spot where we had killed the man a few day* before — 
We were exasperated at this, that we determined to have 
satisfaction, and in a few days I collected 17 men well 
armed, and formed an ambuscade on Deep River at Coxe's 
Mills, and sent out spies. In the course of two hours, one of 
my spies gave me information of a i)arty of Rebels plunder- 
ing his house, which was about three miles off. I instantly 
marched to the place and discovered them in a field near the 
house. I attacked them immediately, and kept up a smart 
6 



[ •••■ ] 

liiv for luiir an liour, durinp; which time, wc killod tlieir 
('a)>t:iiii, ami one private, on the j^pot — wounded tliree of 
IhiMii. and took two prisoners besides t'ij^-ht ot' their horses 
well ajipoiiited, and several swords. This hapi>ened on tlio 
1 llh ol' Aiav, ITsl. The same day, we ]>ersned another 
part\ ol' Kehels, and eanie up with ihcm the nionunji' t'ol- 
lowinii' ; we attacked them smartly and killed -I iif tlien\ on 
the sjiot womuled o dan^-eronsly and took one prisoner with 
all their horses, and apiiointments. In alxmt an hour after 
thai, \\e look two men ot' the same party, and killed one 
moie ol' them; the same evening we had intelligence of 
another part\ of IJehels, which wei-e assend>lini2; about HO 
nnlcs otl' in order for to attack ns ; as I thouij-ht it best to 
surprize them where they were eollectinir, I marched all 
night and about Id o'clock next morning, we came uji with 
them ; we commenced a tire upon each other, which eon- 
tinned lor about 10 nunutes when they retreated ; we killed 
two of them, and wi>muled 7. and took 18 horses well ap- 
pointed ; we tluMi relumed to Ueep Ki\er again — I still 
kei>t the company together, and waited for another oppor- 
tunity, during which time, 1 took two IJebel soldiers and 
parolled iliem, who ga\e me int'ormaliou of a Col. Ibidlev 
eouuug t'rom tieu'l Greens cani]> at Camden, with baggage. 
T mounted my nuni ami set t'orward in search of them ; and 
I concealed my men by the side of the road; and 1 thought 
the tinu' long; acconliiig to iut'ormation I had from the sol- 
diers — I took one num with me. and went to see if I eould 
nnike ivity discovery. 1 rode a nule and a half, when I saw- 
Col Dudley with his baggage — I then wheeled my horse, and 
returned to my men ; where I came within a hundred yards 
of them, Dudley and his Dragoons was imse and tail and 
snai>ed tlu'ir j>istols several times. 1, then, ordered a march 
at'ter them, and at'ter marching •J.\ miles 1 discovered them, 
and iiumediutely took three of them ]>risoiUM-s. witli all the 
bajji^age and nitie Horses. The baggage I tli\ ided among 



[ 1" ] 

my Men, which a>rreeaT)]y to Col. Dudley's report was val- 
ued at £1,000 sterling. I returned to Coxe's Mill and re- 
mained there till the 8th June ; when the Rebels emWlied 
160 men to attack me, under the command of Col.s. Collyer 
and Balfour. 1 determined to get the advantage by attack- 
ing them, which I did ^v-ith 49 men in the night, after march- 
ing 10 miles to tlieir encampment. They took one of my 
guides, wliich gave them notice of rnj- approadi : I pr<^>ceeded 
within thirty stejw of them ; but being unacquainted with 
the grounds, advanced verj' cautiously. The .sentinel, liow- 
ever, discovered my party, and firing ujx>n us, retreated. 
They secured themselves under cover of tlie houses, and 
fences ; the firing then began ; and continued on both sides 
for the space of four hours ; being verj- cloudy and dark — 
during which time I had one man killed, and six wounded ; 
and the guide, before mentioned, taken pri.s<jner ; wliorn they 
killed next morning in cold bloi^Kl. What injury they suf- 
fered, I could not learn ; As the morrjing appeared, we re- 
treated, and returned again to Deep River ; leaving our 
wounded men at a friend's hou.se, privately. 

The Reljels then kept a eon.stant .scouting, and their num- 
bers was so great, tliat we had to lay still for gf.>metime ; and 
when Collier and Balfour left tlie settlement, he the said 
Colonel Dudley, before mentioned, took the place with 300 
men from Virginia. He took a negro man from me and 
sold him at public auction for 110 pounds; the said negro 
was sent over the mountains, and I never saw him .since. 
At length they all began to scatter; and we to embody. 
William Elwood being jel<^ju3 of my taking to^^ much com- 
mand of the men, and in my absence, one day, he y>ersuaded 
them that I was a going to make thern regular .=^»ldier-, and 
caase them to be attached to Col. John Hamilton's" Regi- 
ment ; and vindicated it, by an advertisement, that I liad 
handed to several of the Loyalists ; that I thought had the 
greatest influence with the Loyalists. He so prevailed with 



[ 1'^ ] 

the coiiinion liort, tliat wlieii I caiiic to caiii]! T toniid most of 
iiiv nuMi o'oiio ; I, tlion. drclari'd I iiomm- would go on an- 
otlior si'out, until tlicre was a Field Otlieor. Tlu^ uiajority 
clioso uio : Tlu'v, then, drow uj) a petition to the eonnnand- 
iui;' otlicor of the Kiuij's troops. 

A jii'UiTal nu'etinn' of the Loyalists was no\v called, in 
order, for to api>oint a eoininaiiding offiecr of the ^filitia ; it 
was still deteriuiued that I shoidd be the jtcrson. I accord- 
ingly set otV, for ^Viln^inii•ton. heiiig KiO miles, witli a petition 
of the i>eo]de. ti> tlu> otHcer eommandiuo;, at that post, for his 
apiirohatiou. (>u my an'i\al there ^lajor Craiji', who e(.>in- 
maiitli'd. treated me. with every respect, and ajiproved of said 
]>efitioi\: anil gave a commission as Col. of the luindolph and 
Chatham ^lilitia — a co]>y of which is hereunto amu'xed. 

" Hy dames Henry Craigg. Esqr. ; ^lajor in his Majesty's 

S2d Reg. eommaiuling a detachment of the King's Troops 

in North Caroliiui, iVc, iVe. 

Til David Fanning, Esqr. 

Tliese are to aii]ii>int you, to be Colonel of the Loyal 
^lilitia, in Kaiidoljih. and Chatham, Counties, who are di- 
rected to obey yon. as such, in all lawful con)mands, what- 
soever ; ami you are authiirized to grant commissions to 
the necessary jiersons tit' known attachment t(> his Majesty's 
person, and Government, to ai't as Captains and subalterns 
to the ditferent companies oi' ililitia aforesaid. As Colonel, 
you are hereby tully impowered to assemble the militia, and 
lead them against any jiarties of Rebels, or others; the 
King's enemies, as ot'ten as necessary — to comiHd all per- 
sons whatstiever to join you — to seize ami disarm, ami when 
necessary to detain, in confinement, all Kebels or others, 
acting ngainst his ^lajesty's Gov't ; and to do all other acts 
becoming a King's otlicer. ami good subject. 

Given at Wilmington, this ."ith Jtdy, 17SI. 

.1. n. C^RAIGG, 

Jfiijor, Comiiujuding the K/iufn Troo/ht." 



[ 1'^ ] 

On the 12tli July, I returned from Wilmington, and 
ordered a general Muster ; and then gave the following 
commission to the gentlemen hereinafter named of their 
respective companies. 

By David Fanning Esq 
Colonel of the Loyal Militia of No Ca. 
To Greeting 

Ha\'ing received sufficient testimony' of jour Loyalty and 
Zeal for his Majesty's Service and relying on your courage 

and good conduct I do hereby appoint you to be 

of a company in the district of . You are, 



therefore, diligently and carefully to discharge the duty 
of such ; obeying all orders and directions, which you may 
receive from time to time, from any superior officers, in 
his Majesty's Service, and all others ; The inferior officers 
of his Majesties subjects, of that and every other company 

are directed and requested to obey you as of 

said company. 

Given under my hand at Coxe's Mill this 1781. 

David Faxkdjg 
Col. Com'g hin Majesties Loyal Malitia, (&c. 

The names of the Officers of Randolph County, as they vms 
commissioned in tJt^ir different companies 

1. John Rains, Capt. IC July, Cpromoted maj'r 13 Oct. 1781. 
William Rains, Lt. 

Thomas Donnelly Ensign. 
John Spinks Ser. Maj. 

2. Geo. Rains, Capt. In Charleston at the peace. 
Ebenezer WoUaston, Lt. do. 

Robt. Rains Ensign in N. C. 

3. Wm. Fincannon, Capt. - - - - in X. C, now 

Rich'd Bird, Lieut. do. 

Cornelius Latham, Ensign ... Jo. 



[20] 

4th. Michael Roben? Capt last acoount in X. C. 
William HilKs, Lt. in Florida at the peace. 
Daniel Brovm. Ensi^ killed in X. C. by the Eebels. 

5. E->ben Turner.-^ Capt. - - - - - in X. C. 
Abiolem Antrev. Lr. - - - - in Florida. 
"Wm. King. Ens. . - . - joined the Rebels. 

6. Stephen Walker. Capt. . - - . -mnrdered. 
Frederick Smith, Lt. haneed at Hillsboro. for his lov- 

alrr. 
Wm nunsticker. Ens. da do. 

7. Jos. Currie, Capt. - - - In Florida at the peace. 
Benj. Sliields. Lt. - - - - - in X. C. 
Jas. Rains. Ens. - - - - - in S. C. 



JJte nariw^ m the OMcen of the di^ererd Companies in. CJui- 

thani Counfy. 

S. Thomas Dark Capt. Hanged at Hillsboro for his loy- 
alty. 

Win. Hooeker Lt. Mnrdered by the Rettels. 

Henry RamsL'UT Ens. In CLarleston S. C. at the pieaee. 

9. Wm. Lindley. Capt, Mnrdered by the Rebels. 
Wm. Peles. Lt. Went to Penns. 
Wm. McPherson. Ens. In Charleston. 

10. Sam! Dark. Capt. At last account in X. C. 
James Ellett, Lt. Drowned in Florida 
Thos. Ellett Ensign. In Florida 

11. Benj. Undervroc-d Capt,. late in Xew Brunswick 

Fred. Smith. Lt. in X. C. 

Adam Smith. Ens, 

12. Wm. Deaton Capt Killed in battle on the day aiter 

the rebel Gov. Burke was taken. 
Wm. Carr Lt. In West Indies 

John Erwem Ens. Florida. 



[21] 

13. Martin Kr ^ X. C. 

Ti;.>i. Mol rebel CapU 

Wm. Bry>\m joined the BebeJs 



-A amt^ of Opcert in Oran^ ay. 

14. Ric-li"d Edward*, Capt. Killed in battel 
Edward Edward?, Lienr. do IStii Sept. 
Tbo>i. Estwick. Ensign — 

15. Stephen HoIIowaj. Capl, Killed in battle 
. John Hasting lieat, Xow in X. C. 

Ab'm Xelson. Ens, 



7X<f K«j«««» oftAe O^'Cier^ in tfte di^er^nt Compamti in Cwn- 

1^ T _:e, Capt. Hi ._.„ . ;-. ....vl< a: P. D. 

Maimep. Lieti:. In X. C. 

V\ . Eiiiign 

17. itc. ..- ^vi wards Capt. Easr Florida 

Reuben Shields, Lieut. X. C. 

ATni. Hancock, Ens, 
IS. Alex. Melver. Cap*. 

Murdook ifartin, Lt E: _ . 

Id. Wni- McLond. Capt. 

Alexr McLoud. Lt. 



H,<^ Kd.<;;<^# ^r rAsf Oficen i» -Ik y. 

20. Wm. Price, Capt. Ki. , ^he Rebels. 
Wm. Fanning Ll. Lsr^&L 

21. Wai. MeK-i^r.: Cart. Murdered. 
St ^ - ': . inS. C. 

22. A - C-> V C. 
Jos. Hodse. Lt. 



[ '-^^ ] 

Those ii'i'iitlonuMi luul thoir api>ointiiu'nt t'rom ^Iiijor 
Ferguson in So. Ca. in .July ITSO, but joiiiod all at-furding 
to tlu'ir dates. 

On my return to Deeji luver I inuuiMliately caused a gen- 
eral Must(>r ot'llie Loyalists, wliieh I i-olleeted to tlieaniount 
ot' l.">0 men, but tinding them detieient in arms I dis- 
charged all ot" them except ">l>, which 1 appointed fully ; 
out ot' which, I I'ollected from the whole, and ordered the 
rest, to be ready to join me when 1 called tor them, I, also, 
gave the t'lU'egoing comniissions, to the ditlerent officers set 
forth, who rendered many services to the British Govern- 
ment, during the late war, who singulared themselves with 
me in the interior parts of that rebellious Country, and 
subdued the greatest part of the province ; so far that the 
worst of Kebels came to me. beging protection for them- 
selves, and jiroperty. The exertions of myself, and the 
other (officers had the whole country under the protection of 
the British government, until long after the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis, and the evacuation of Wihnington ; and 
after all the British Troops was called to their dirterent 
posts on the Sea shore. 

I continued acting in the interior parts of Xorth Caroli- 
na, and was like to obtain a truce with the Rebels in the 
heart ot' the country. Tiiose people liave been induced to 
brave every danger and dirticulty during the late war, 
rather than render any service to the Rebels — their proper- 
ties real and personal, taken to support their enemies — the 
fatherless and widows stripped, and every means of support 
taken from them — their houses and lauds and all personal 
property taken, and no resting place, cotild be found for 
them. As to place them in their former possessions, is im- 
possible — stripped of their property, driven from tlieir 
Houses; deprived of their wives and child len — robbed of 
a tree and mild government— betrayed and deserted by 
their tViends, what can repay them, tor the misery i Drag- 



[ ^n 

gintr out a wretched lite of ohscurity and want, Heaven, 
only, wliich smooths tlie nigged jiatlis, (!an reeoneile them 
to misfortune. Numbers of them left tlieir wives and 
children in North Carolina, not being altle to send for 
them ; and now in the west Indies and other parts of the 
world for refuge, and not returned to their families yet. 
Some of them, that returned, under th(( a(-t of oblivion 
passed in 1753,^wa8 taken to Jlillsboro, and hanged for 
their past services tliut they rendered the Government 
whilst under my command. I am fully 8ensil)le of the 
good designs that government intends for the Loyalists in 
BO repeatedly renewing the act. I can solemnly declare 
that, I think, Maj(»r Jolm Kains, and Capt. George Rains 
two of the diservingest otiicers that ever acted in America 
during the late war, either in the provintial or Militia ; and 
to my certain knowledge John llains had two Mills burnt ; 
three dwelling Houses and besides a barn, and property to- 
tally taken away. I have given a direct account of the 
officers opposite tlieir names as I possibly can ; also their 
promotions and deaths. What I have set forth, I will 
forever vindicate. Besides otlicr ofiicers of other counties 
that joined me at dilferent times, and places, as I shall 
refer to, in other ])arts of my Jouriiid ; in ])articnlar Col. 
Arch McDugald'" and Samuel Andrews wIkj joined me 
several times. Given at Kings County New Brunswick 
Nov 29th 1789. 



Tlie Tlebels on the same day held a general muster at 
Chatham Court House, about twenty-five miles, where I 
had assemliled, and the day following were to call a court- 
martial for the trial of several Loyalists, who had refused 
to bear arms, in (i{)position to goveriiiiient. Upon receiv- 
ing this intelligence 1 proceeded, towanls the Court House, 
17 miles, that night, with the men 1 liad named; and the 
7 



[■2A ] 

nil in I ill <; fiillowiinr. bv 7 o'clock, I arrived there. I siir- 
nnnuleil the ]>lace, where tliey were. I expected to find 
members of the Court ilartiul, but they had dispersed the 
evening before, and Mere for to meet at S o'clock. I then 
posted pickets on every road, and within the space of two 
hours, took oo prisoners — among them, the Colonel, Major 
and all the militia oflicers of the county, except two, who 
liad not attended ; and also one Continental Captain, with 
three of their delegates of the General Assembly. I imme- 
diately nuirched them to Coxe's Mill, and parolled all except 
14, whol kmnvwero violent ag-ainst the government. Those 
I conducted to Wilmington and delivered to Major Craigg. 
I then reiu'esented to Alajor Craigg that with his approba- 
tion, I Would establish certain regidations for the conduct 
of the militia: which he a]>provcd of; and he was oblig- 
ing enough, on my giving them to him to correct, and con- 
firm ; the following rules, which were printed and distributed 
in the country. 

BCLFS ami REG VLATIOXSfor the wrll governing the 
loyal MU'dla of thi Province of Xoiih Cavolitia : 

1st. Xo person to be admitted a militia num until he 
titkes the oath of Allegiance to his Majesty, which is al- 
ways to be done before the senior otlicer of the Eegiment 
on the spot. 

2d. All persons once enrolled, in a Militia company, and 
having t:\ken the oath above mentioned, will be considered 
as entitled to every jn-ivilege and protection of a British 
subject, on being detected joining the Kebels. will be treat- 
ed, as a deserter, and traitor. 

3d. Every militia man is to repair, without fail or ex- 
cuse, except sickness, at the time appointed, to the place 
assigned by his Col'n or Capt. with his arms, and aceoiir- 
trements. and is not to quit his company, on any pretence 



[ •■^■' ] 

wliatever, witliout the knowledge and permission, of Lis 
Captain or commanding officer. 

4th. The Col'n of every County has full power to call 
his Regiment together, and march them when necessary 
for his Majesty's service ; the Captain of eacli comyjany has 
also power, to assemble his company, when any snddeTi 
emergency renders it necessary, and which he is to report 
as soon as possible to his Colonel. 

5th. Mutual assistance is to le given on all occations ; 
but so it is impossible to give positive directions on this sul)- 
ject, it is left to the discretion of the Colonels of llegiments, 
who must be answerable that, their reasons, for not aflbrd- 
ing assistance when required, are sufficient. 

Gth. When the Militia of different counties are embo- 
died, the senior officer is to Command ; Colonels of Regi- 
ments are immediately to determine, the present rank of 
their Captains, in wliich, regard is to be had to seniority of 
commission or service. In cases of racaneies ; the Colo- 
nels may grant tem])orary commissions, till recourse cati be 
had to the Commanding officer of the King's troops. 

7th. The men are to understand, that in what relates to 
the service they are bound to obey all officers, though not 
immediately belonging to their own companies. 

8th. Court ]\Iartials may sit by the appointment of the 
Colonel or Commanding officer ; and must consist for the 
trial of an officer, of all the officers of the Regiment he 
belongs, except the Col'o or Commanding officer, and 
for the trial of a non Commissioned Officer or Private, of 2 
Captains. 2 subalterns and 3 privates — the latter to belong 
to the same company, as the person to be tried. The eld- 
. est Captain to preside ; and the sentence of the Court, to be 
determined by plurality of votes; and a]iproved by the 
Commanding Officer, 

9th. No Colonel is to supercede an officer without trial ; 
but he may suspend him 'till he can be tried. 



[ -0 ] 

lOtli. Quiting camp without pennissiDii. disobedience of 
orders, neglect of duty, plundering, and all irregularities 
and disorder to be punished at the discretion of a Court 
[Martial, constituted as above mentioned ; and b_v the ap- 
jirobation of the t'orn or Commjinding otiicer ; who has 
power to pardon, or remit, any part of a punishment, but 
not to increase or alter it. 

11th. Every man must take the strictest care of his arms, 
and ammunition ; and have them always ready for service. 

12th. When the Militia is not embodied, they are at all 
times to be attentive to the motions of the Rebels; and im- 
mediately to acquaint the nearest Officer of any thing he 
may discover, who is to communicate it to his CoFn or other 
Officers as may be rajuisite. \ 

loth. It is the dntj' of every person professing allegi- 
ance to his Majesty to communicate to the Commanding 
Officer of the nearest British port any intelligence he can 
procure of the assembling or moving of any bodies of Reb- 
els. Persons em]iloyed on this occasion shall always be paid. 

14th. Col'ns of Regts. may assemlile any number of their 
men. they think necessary to be posted in particular s])ots 
of their districts — th"ir time of service on these occasions 
is to be limited; and they are at the expiration to be re- 
lieved, b}' others. Great care is to be taken that no par- 
tiality is shown, that each take an eijual proportion of duty ; 
for which purpose alphabetical rolls are to be kept, by 
which the men are to be warned. Every Ca})t. to keep an 
account of the number of days eacli man of his company 
serves. 

The strict observance of the above regulations, is stroiigh' 
recommended as the best means of the King's faithful sub- 
I'ects manifest superiority over the rebel militia ; and insure 
them, that success their zeal and spirit in the cause of their 
country entitles them to expect. 

Hi ad QtiarUrs, Wihnincjfon '2o Sept. 17S1. 



i 
\ 



[28] 

their lives. On her solicitation, I concluded to grant her 
request; and after the ca])itniation I gave the t'ullowing 
paroles to Col. Pliilip Alstane and his men. 

" I do hereby acknowledge myself a Prisoner of war, upon 
my parole, to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, and that I 
am hereby engaged till I shall be exchanged, or otherwise 
released therefrom, to proceed immediately to my planta- 
tion on Dunnam's Creek, Cumheiland county (or else- 
where) No Carolina, there to, remain ; or witliin live miles 
thereof — and that I shall not in the mean time, do, or cause 
any thing to be done, prejudicial to the success of his Majes- 
t3"s arms; nor have any intercourse or hold correspondence 
with the enemies of his Majesty — and that upon a summons 
from his Excellency, or other Person having authority thereto, 
that I will sui render myself u]) to him or them, at such time 
and place as shall hereafter be required. 

Philip Alstine 
Cumberland County^ Col'n. 

Deep nicer; July 29M, 1781. 
Witness ; David Fanning, CoVo Coni'g Loyal Militia 



In the course of this affair, we had two men killed, and 
four Wounded, who afterwards recovered. A }iarty of Reb- 
els appeared in sight a little time after the tiring began ; but 
they did not approach to afford Col. Altstone any support. 
When the action was over, they ran off; and our horses 
being quite fatigued, rendered it impossible for me, to persue 
them. I then persued my route to Cox's Mill, where on 
my arrival I gave twelve hours leave to the men; after de- 
taching a sutticient number for tiie necessary guards, to go 
to their respective homes. Immediately after that, I heard 
that a wagon loaded with salt for the Use of the rebel army 
had pa?sed about 12 iiours. I took eight men with me, and 
after a chaee of 10 miles I overtook her, and conducted it 



[ -"] 

I tliou^^lit proper to Bdiiiiiiister tlie foUuwiiiir oath of 
AUegiaiK-e unto tliose peo]>le I was dubious, of. "I — A B — 
do t-wi-ar on the Holy Evaugelists of Almii;lity Gi>d to bear 
tnu' alK';;iauee to our Sovereijrn Lord, Kiiiir Georjre the 
Sd ; and to uj^hold the sauie. I dii vohiiitarilv promise for 
to serve as iliUtia, under any ot^iiers a)>pointed over nie ; 
and that I will when lawfully warned by our said ofKeers 
Hsseuible at anv place bv them dirt-eted in ease of danjrer ; 
in the epaee of S hours. 1 will go with my arms and aeeou- 
trements in good order, to snpress any rebels or others, tiie 
King's eiieuiies ; that 1 will not at any time do, or cause to 
be done any thing prejudicial to hit nu»jesty"s guverment ; 
or Bufler any intercourse, or correspondence, with the ene- 
mies thereof; that I will make known any plot, or plots, 
any wise inimical to his Majesty's forces, or loyal subjects, 
bv me discovered, to his raaiestv's officers conti>?ious, and it 
shall not e.Nceed, six hours, before the said is discovered, if 
health and distance permit. This I do Si'leumly swe.ir and 
promise to defend iu all case^, whatM>ever. So help tne. 
God !" 

I then returned to the head of Little Rivei', on my way 
to Coxe's Mill : where 1 was luet by two nien, who int'ormed 
me that the Rebels had separated into two small }>arties ; 
thinking 1 should never return frm. Wilmington: I passed 
on and got intelligence of OjI. Altstine lying on the banks 
of Deep River, with a party of 2o men. We marched all 
tliat day and uight following; and just as the day dawned, 
we advanced in tliree divisions, up to a house, they had 
thrown themselves into. On our approach, we fired upon 
the house, as I was determined to make examples of them, 
for behaving in the manner they had done, to one of my 
pilots, by nanie. Kenneth LMack. Tiicy returned our tire, 
and the action continued upwards of 3 hours, wlien after 
killiug four of them, and wounding all the ivst, exce)>t three, 
they sent out a flag to surrender. Col. Altine's lady beging 



[ ^^ ] 

buck t(j Coxe'ti Mill. ( >ii mv rcitiirn I I'nuiKi that Major 
Rains, liail Iicimi atlackcd liy a ])ai'tv of 15<i i-ebels ; wlio liad 
attempted to secure tiie tort of I)(;c)i liiver, at (Joxe's Mill ; 
liowever it was without success. He had one man wounded, 
and several horses, in the attack. On my approacli, tliey 
retreated. Tiiey tlien sent a flai^ witli offers of peace. I 
returned for answer, "I was determined to make peace witli 
the sword — or otherwise till they should l)ecome subjects of 
Great ]5ritai)i." My men now being collected to the amount 
of 140, who by this time were well armed, and hearing noth- 
ing further from them, the next morning, we marched to the 
place, wliere 1 had been informed they were ; but found 
tliem gone off". I discovered some of their scouts, l)tit on 
firing on them, they took to the woods. I heard, that they 
had marched and joined another party of 250 men, com- 
manded by Colonels Paisley and Balfour. Ifpon which I 
returned to Coxe's Mill ; J sent out spies that niglit, who 
retui'ned before morning and informed me that tin; two rebel 
parties had joined, being about 400 in number and en- 
camped at Jircjwn's plantation, about two miles up the 
River on the opposite side. I dispatched a flag to them, ac- 
quainting them, as before, of my determination, in support of 
Government, and proposed a meeting of both parties to deter- 
mine the matter by force of arms; at the same time acquaint- 
ing them, that the ill treatment of some prisoners they liad 
taken a little time before, had determined me to retaliate in 
case, an end was not put to it; I directed the flag to iMajor 
Cage, who commanded at the tinu; before, and I received the 
following answer. 

" Hiii, I received yours l>y a ftag, and can assure you that 
I should be as &orrj as any person living to misuse a pris- 
oner; but at the same tinie, I think it is my duty to o])pose 
my enemies, and if any of your men should fall into my 
hands I shall endeavour to use what influences I can to Iiavo 
them treated as prisoners; and J hope you will do the same. 



[ 30] 

I iiuist also inform yon, tliat I am not the commanding 
otEcer: if I was, I should immediately return you, an an- 
swer; As your letter was not directed to the commanding 
officer, he will not undertake it. You will direct to him, Col- 
O'ncal is Commander at present. 

I am, Yours, itc. iScc. W>r. Cage. 

Av<j.'2d,\:Sl; 

To Col. David Fanning. 

I also received a message from Col. O'neal that whenever 
they met, they would tight me, but not by an immediate 
appointment ; I directly ordered a march and proceeded to 
the place where I was informed by the Bearer of the Hag 
they lay encamped ; but on my arrival there, they had 
marched ofi"; and from iTitelligence I had procured. I had 
reason to suppose they was gone to Salesbury to get rein- 
forced, by General Eutherford. I then concluded, to go, to 
Wilmington for a supply of ammunition ; finding my stock 
began to grow low. I got to Cross Creek on the 11th of 
August; and early in the morning following crossed the 
Cape Fear River, when Maj. Samuel Andrews joined me 
with his company and scouted through all the rebel settle- 
ments, on the north side of the River ; and took a number 
ot' prisoners, arms and hoi-ses. I also discovered where 25 
barrels of Salt was concealed ; designed for the rebel army. 
I distroyed it ; and then marched down the side ; and came to 
a plantation belonging to a Capt. Robertson — which I 
burned ; From thence I marched to his brother's Col. Rob- 
ertson, which served in the same manner. On my inarch, I 
took several prisoncr^, whom I parolled, except 20 ; those I 
delivered to Capt. Legett," then commanding at Wilming- 
ton ; where I arrived on the 2Jrtli. Having got supplied 
with ammunition, I proceeded up the country on the 26th. — 
On my arrival at Elizabetlitown. I found Col. Slingsbee, of 
the Loyal Militia of Bladen county, with a number of pa- 
roled rebels, in his camp. I disapproved of keeping them. 



[ yl ] 

tliere, and told liim I tliouglit it imju-udent, and unsafe. The 
event pi'oved so; for tliat niglit, tliey, having arms con- 
cealed, fired upon his cainp, and wounded him mortally. 
Five Captains also were wounded, some of whom died after- 
wards of their wounds. The day following I an-ived at Mc 
Falls mills about 60 miles, where I dispatched 90 of my men 
back, to render assistance, on receixing the unfortunate ac- 
counts of Col. Slingsbee's misfortune; but it was too late; as 
the rebels had taken to the woods and got off 

I had information of the rebel, Col'n Wade with 450 
militia, was. then, on his marcli to attack Col. Mc.Xeal. who 
had assembled "•• of the loyal militia of Bladen, and then 
lay on the side of Drowning Creek. I instantly dispatched, 
an express, to know his situation, and offering a-sistance ; in 
three hours, I received for answer, he would be glad to see 
me. and my party. I marched directly, and by day light, 
arrived with 155 men. Our pickets was fired upon ; and 
retreated into camp, having exchanged several shots with 
those of the Rel )els. We had infonnation they were crossing 
a bridge on Drowning Creek, about three miles off, when 
the pickets fired on them ; and that there was 420 men 
crossed that bridge. I immediately ordered all my men to 
arms, and counted them ; which in number ^vas 225, horse 
and foot ; I then marched immediately to attack tliem ; 
when I formed my little j)arty I left great vacancies in order 
to appear as numerous as possible, and to prevent their turn- 
ing my flanks. We attacked them at 11 o'clock ; and en- 
gaged them an hour and a half ; on my ordering a charge ; 
they retreated. We persued them 7 miles and took 54 
fjrisoners; 4 of which died that night. On our return we 
found 19 dead ; and the next day, several came in and sur- 
rendered, all of whom were wounded, and we had reason to 
suppose that several died in the swamps, by accounts, we 
received from those who came in afterwards. Our loss was 
only 5 men wounded ; one of which died ; and 5 Horses 
8 



killi'd : l>i'>i(ios a tVw w .Miiuifd. We took '2c>0 lioises ; most 
of wliii-h woro loaded with effoets tliev bad plundered from 
the tVieiids of (.ioveriimeiu ; and as 1 had formerly ordered 
that whoever found eoiieealed goods, of any kind should keep 
them ; T also now ordered that every man should keep that 
he had taken that day. atter mountiuir and equipping those 
r>0 ; wlio were not mounted in the action. I then parolled 
the prisouei-s. except oO. which I sent to AVilmingtou. under 
a guard ot' Col. McXeal's men. Then, with my party. I 
marched that evening to Little Kiver. U> miles from mcFalls 
mill ; where the party returned, which had gone to Col'n 
Slingsbv's assistance. The day following, I arrived at Coxe's 
Mill, whore I issued the following advertisement : and circu- 
lated it through the country — 

" ADVERTISEAIEXT. 
This is to let all persons know, that do not make ready 
and repair immediately to camp, that their property shall 
be seized, and sold at public sale ; and if they are taken, and 
brought into camp they shall be sent to Wilmington, as 
prisoners, and theiv, renuiiu, as such, in the provost ; and be 
considered as I\ebels ; also, if any rebel is willing to surren- 
der and come in he shall reap the benetit of a subject. 

David Faxnixg 
Comp Co.r<:'^ mill \ tofo Coni'^ loi/al Jli'lida 

i^t/i S^j> ITSl II 

On the ;Hh of Sept. I was joined by Col'u McDugald of 
the Loyal ^lilitia of Cumberlaud County, with *200 men ; 
and Col. Hector i[eXiel." with his party fi\>m Bladen of TO 
men ; and in consequence of my advertisement I had also 
I;?.'*, who came in ; and many found me afterwanls. 

I had previously determined within myself to take the 
Rebel, Governor Burke of North Carolina and I had a con- 
vei-SiXtion with Maj. Craigg, on the subject. I now thought 
it. a favourable opportunity, as I found myself at tlie head of 



[ •5'5 ] 

950 men of ray own Regiment ; exclusive of ^fcDiagald and 
McXiel's regiments. I accjuainted Major Raines, of my 
resolution, wlio apptroved of it. Tlie reLel General John 
Butler, and Col. Robert Maybin of the Continental line, lay 
witliiii 40 miles of our encairipment, on the Cape Fear River. 
It was supposed by my offiec-rs, that I interided to attack 
them. After marching 10 miles to Rocky River, I went a 
little distance, out of my road, to a friends house, for intelli- 
gence, of the situation of the Rebels; during which time, 
the guide led my little army about two miles out of the way, 
towards General Butler. On my retuni, I was under the 
necessity of making my intentions known ; and immediately 
directed my march to Hillsljoro ; I pushed all that day and 
the following night ; At 7 o'clock on the morning of the 12th 
we entered the town in three divisions, and received several 
shots from different houses ; — however, we lost none and suf- 
fered no damage, except one man wounded. We killed, 
fifteen, of the Rebels, and wounded twenty; and took up- 
wards of two hundred pri.s^>ners ; amongst them was the 
Governor, his Council, and part of the Continental Colonels, 
several captains and subalterns, and seventy one continental 
soldiers out of a church. We jjroceeded to the Goal, and 
released thirty Loyalists, and British soldiers ; one of which, 
was to have been hanged on that day. About 12 o'clock, I 
left Ilillsboro ; and proceeded Eighteen miles that night 
towards Coxe's Mill ; in the morning I persued my march 
about Eight miles further, to Lindsey's Mill on Cane Creek ; 
where Gen'l Butler and a party oi rebels had concealed 
themselves. Col'n McNeal, who had the advanced guard, 
had neglected to take the necessarj' precautions for our 
safety, and by information of Capt. McLain Cumberland 
county. Little River ; and a.s soon as I had discovered the situa- 
tion, we were in, and having so great a number of prisoners, 
I left my station, and pushed for the advanced guard ; on 
my coming up with Col'n McXeal, I inquired the reas^m of 



:] 1 



hi-; iiOii-lect ; ami het'oiv lie (.'lUild :ui>\\ci'. we were fired ii|>iiii 
l)V tlie reliels. They killed iMo-ht men, anioiii;- them was 
VoVw McNeal, wlm reeeived three halls through him, and 
ti\e thronii'li his horse. 1 then ordered a retreat haek to 
where I left the prisoners, and after seeiiring them, I made 
the neeessary i>re[>arations to attaek the enemy ; and after 
engaging- them four hours they retreated. i lost twenty 
se\'en men killed, and sixty, so badly wounded, that they 
eonhl not be moved; besides thirty slightly, imt so, that they 
eonld keep np with our main body. At the conclusion of 
this action, I receiveil a shot in my left arm, which broke 
the bone in several pieces; my loss of blood was so great, 
that I was taken otf my horse, and led ti) a secret place in 
the wooils. 1 then sent Lieut. AVoleston, to my little army, 
for (.'oFn Arch AIcDugald, and AFaJor John Rains and Lt 
C'ol'u .\rch McKay, to take command ; to send to AVil- 
inington for assistance, as 1 was not able to take any com- 
mand. 1 also desired that Majoi- Rains should return as 
soon as he could lea\e Col. ilcDngald; as 1 thought he 
miii'ht be the means of saving me from the hand of my ene- 
mies. These gentlemen conducted themselves in such a 
manner, I think they ileserve the applause of every loyal 
subject, both for their valour and good conduct, as Col'u May- 
bin and lien"! Butler persued them all the way until they 
met Major Craigg eimiing to their assistance. They made 
their march good for U>0 miles and never lost one ]>risouer, 
but introduced Tlios. Burk, their (rovernor, and his regiment 
of rebels, to Major C^raigg ; who very well accepted tlieni ; and 
ilajor Craigg introduced his Excellency, and Begiment, to 
the Provost Master. I am int'onned by letters from Col. Arch 
McDugal, dated Oth Aug. ITS'.' that no provision has been 
made for him yet. Also, ^lajor Rains, the '2^ t>f Oct'r 17S0. 
But I am in hopes when the Covernment ei>mes to be informeil, 
of the m.iny services that they have done, they will consitler 
them, and make some allowance t'ov them. I am personally 



f '6r. J 

acquainted with their services. Major John Rains, was the 
fifTit man, tiiat took uf> arms within Xortli Carolina ; and the 
last man with me, and took an active part' in command in 
six and thirty skirmishes in N. C. ('also Capt. George Rains.) 

At the departure of my little army, I was left with three 
men ; and in four days 17 more came to my assistance. I 
made enquiry respecting the loss of the Rebels, in the late 
action ; and found that the inhabitants had Ijuried 24, and 
that tlie wounded they had left were 90, besides those that 
went off and that my party had taken 10 prisoners. Of 
the number of the killed was Col'o Guttrell. and Major 
Knowles, who were inveterate enemies to the Loyalists. 

The party we had engaged I found to have consisted of 
four hundred Continentals under the command of Col'o May- 
bin and Gen'l Butler. In twenty four days, I found my- 
self able to set up, and tlien dispatched, four of my Cap- 
tains Hooker, Rains. Knight, and Lindly, to Wilmington 
for a supply of ammunition ; and before their return, I had 
sent out, and emViodied 140 men, daring which time I heard 
of a quantity of leather, which was pre]>ared for the use of 
the rebel army, and was ordered for Genl Green's quarters 
at Camden. I went to the place, and finding the leather 
agreeable to my information, I took enough tliereof to equip 
the company completely, and ordered the rest to be de- 
stroyed. On my return to Brush Creek, near where I had 
been secreted during my illness, occasioned by my wounds. I 
sent out spies for discover}-. Two of them returned, in lesa 
than an hour, with information of six hundred rebels, who 
were advancing for to attack me. But they proved no more 
than 170. Tlieir accounts disheartened a number of my 
men. From my being in so weak a state, tliey apprehended 
I would not be able, to command them. However tliey 
lifted me. on my horse, and I formed my men there in two 
ranks and sliowed two fronts, as they appeared both in my 
front and rear ; the fire continued for near an hour. I lost 



[ ^G ] 

three men killed, and three bidly wounded. The rebels had 
one killed, and several wounded. Then they retreated ; and 
rallied and attacked again, after retreating, about a mile, 
which was so unexpected, tliat I conebuled they had been 
reinforced. I then retreated ; but without kiss, except my 
baggage. I, then, separated my men into small parties, 
until the arrival of the four otHcers, I had dispatched for 
ammunition, to Wilmington, who brought the following 
letter from ilaj'r Craigg, with 5000 catridges ; 

Wilmington I'df/i Oct 1781 
" Deae Sir : 

Your letter gave nie intinite satisfaction from the favonr- 
able accounts, it contained of your health, and the proba- 
bility of your soon being restored to that service, in which 
you have done so much to vour honour. I beg vou to ac- 
cept for myself, and convey to those of your officers whom I 
have not yet seen, my warmest thanks for their gallantry and 
good behaviour. I enclose you the commission you desired 
for Major Kains, who I am persuaded will endeavour to 
answer your warm recommendations. I have been unfortu- 
nate enough to lose, the list of medicines you sent for ; how- 
ever I desireil, the Surgeon, to send you such as he thinks, 
most likely to be serviceable to you ; though from his not 
being acquainted with your case, is all by guess — I am much 
concerned to find the ])robabilities of so many of your peo- 
ple snfl'ering from want of attendance or necessaries. No- 
thing shall be wanting in my power, either in that respect or 
that of salt for their relief I am not at liberty to explain 
myself in a letter, but I hope I shall very soon hare it in my 
]io\\-er to assist you with greater care than at present. The 
moment T returned here, I was informed of the circumstances 
of the stallion you mention. I determined it in your favour, 
and took hiui away from Mr. Campbell, or rather from a 
gentleman whom he had sold him to. He has been with mv 



[ ^'7 ] 

horses ever since, and never rode. I now send liim to you 
by Capt. Liveley. 

The long northerly winds, has prevented any arrivals from 
Charleston, so that we are totally without news. 
I wish I had got Mr. Burke's papers. — 
I am with much regard, 

Your most oh't faithful servant 

J. H. Ce.ugg 

The following is a copy of the letter I received of Col- 
onel Edniond Fanning'" of the King's Americans" 

The names of the Officers of Cumberland county who acted 
'under Colo. McDugald, as they iras commissioned iti their 
different companies ; who were with m,e, at the takimj of 
Hillshoro : 

Archibald McDugald, Colo. 
Archi1)ald McKay ; Lieut. Colo. 

The names of the Officers of Bladen county who acted under 
Lt. Colo. Hector., McNeal. 

Hector McNeal ; Lt. Colo. 
John Watson ; Major ; 

The names of the Gentlemen Officers who came as Volunteers 
from Wilmington, for recreation, and to explore the 
country, and was at the taking of Ilillshorough with me j 

Alexander McCraw, Capt. of Govr. Martin's Eegt. 
Daniel McDonald, Lieut. do. do. 

Malcom McKay, Ensign do. do. 

John McKenzie, Capt. 
Hector McNeal. 
Charles Cam])bell. 
James Dawson. 



[ ^s 1 

Sometime after the reeei})t of tlie foregoing letter I inter- 
cepted an express bound for (Ten. Greene's Camp, wliieli was 
at that time near the lines not far from Charleston ; amongst 
which was Lord Cornwallis's capitulation, which I have since 
lost. We continued in small parties until Major Craigg 
evacuated Wilmington, when one day I took a man with 
me to go for intelligence and to provide oats for the party I 
kept with me. When at a luiuse I spied a party of thirty 
rebels, coming towards said house ; where I was. We in- 
stantly mounted, and rode off. On my return to my men, I 
ordered, sixteen of them, to mount ; and went back to the 
house we had left, l)ut found them gone off. I persued them 
about sixteen miles ; when we came up, with them. We 
killed three of them and wounded two ; who I took prison- 
ers. I had no loss or accident on our part. 

I had now certain intelligence of Maj. Craigg's evacuating 
Wilmington; and that the rebels inconsequence of it. had 
separated into small parties, and returning home ; and for 
the space of fourteen or tifteen days, I fell in with, and took 
more or less of them every day. During which time I had 
information, of a Capt. Kennedy and his party, who had 
taken a number of horses and a tpiantity of household furni- 
ture. I followed him about five miles, and after a smart 
firing, took him and eight of his party, with the booty they 
had plundered. He gave intelligence that a Capt. Lopp 
with a party of sixty men, \\ho had been discharged by Genl. 
Rutherford were on their way uj) the country. The said 
Capt. Kennedy (^Cannady) all the time of our attacking Lopp 
stood and looked on ; and as he declared that he would not 
make his escape, neither would he let any of his men inter- 
fere, if we drove off Capt. Lopp. I left him in a house with 
only two men. to guard Eleven, and found them all there. 
The guard informed me that he would not let any of his 
party make their escape. He proved sn nuich to his honour, 
that T gave him up one of his liorses, saddle, and bi-idle ; and 



I -tl ] 

made their escape ; except one, who was shot in the at- 
tempt. 

Two Captains in each county were appointed by Colo. 
Isaacs, on his leaving Cuxe's Mill, to keep the friends of 
Government down : and were goinjj with their own men, 
continually through the country. 

During all this time I was in the woods and kept moving 
with a small ])arty as occasion required. One evening, I 
had assenihled thirty men, at a friends house, and sent out 
spies ; They soon returned with account of a jjarty of reltels 
within four miles of us. distressing and ]>lundering our 
friends. We immediately .set forward to render our assist- 
ance, and got within a half a mile of them ; I, then, sent out 
to get information how they were situated, and by break of 
day came upon them. We retook seven horses wliich they 
had carried oif, with a larg^ quantity of baggage. We 
wounded two of them mortally, and several slightlv; we 
came oft' without injury, except two horses wounded. The 
day following, we persued them, to Cumberland county, and 
on my way. I burnt Capt. Coxe's house, and his Fatlier's. 
I had also two skirmi.-hes and killed two of the rebel party. 
On my return to Little Kiver. I heard of a Capt. Golson ; 
who had been disstressing the Loyalist.s : and went in search 
of him, myself; but unfortunately I did not meet him ; but 
fell in, with one of his men. who had been very assiduous, in 
assisting the rebels. I killed him. I mounted a man of my 
own on his horse, and returned back. I then took Capt. 
Cnrrie and the man of my own before mentioned, and went 
with a design of burning Capt. Golson's house ; which I did ; 
and also two others. In my way, I fell in, with a man, who 
had been very anxious for to have some of my men executed. 
I sent him word for to moderate and he should have nothing 
to fear, but if he persisted, I would certainly kill him. lie 
took no notice of this ; but persisted, for several months, and 
on observing me that <lay, he attempted to escape ; but I 
shot him. 



[ 4-2 I 

Two (lays. atUT, Capt. Walker, joined me \rlneli made 
four of us. and hearing that one Thompson, a Eehel and 
IMagistrate, had taken up a horse belonging ti^ me, I went to 
claim him ; He gave him up without hesitation, and upon 
examining what arms he had. he owned to one riHe. which I 
took from him; lie also int'ormed me. that the rebels were 
willing to make peace with me on my own terms, and would 
all<>w me any limited bounds I W(_>uld require provided I 
would not be troublesome to them. I therefore concluded 
after consulting Capt. "Walker and Carrie, to demand the 
following terms, wliich I forwarded by a prisoner, I had 
takcMi ; and in order to convince them that my intentions 
were sincere, I released him, for that purpose, thougli he had 
been the means of nmrdering several. 

Terras recpiired by Colo. David Fanning tVom Govr. 
Burke, forwarded to him by Lawyer Williams, and Capt. 
Ramsay, of 1st battalion of Xorth Carolina Continentals. 

1. That every friend of the government shall be allowed 
to their respective homes unmolested. 

'2d. That they shall be under no restrictions of doing, or 
causing to be done anj thing prejudicial to his Majestys 
service. 

3d. That they shall not be under any obligation to act 
in any public station, or ever to take up arms, or be com- 
pelled to do any thing injurious to his Majesty's good gov- 
ernment. 

4. That shall not pay or caused to be paid, any taxes or 
money so levied by new laws during the Continuance of the 
present war, to supjiort new army by their industry. If 
these terms ai"e granted, I request that they may be imme- 
diately conveyed to me, at my quartei-s by a flag of truce, 
appointed for that purpose, and by such Oflicei-s, as I can 
rely upon, from your hands and seals. 

If these terms are not granted you may dejiend my sword 
bein>r continuallv unsheathed ; as I am determined, I will not 



L i-^ J 

leave one of your old Oftenders alive, that 1ms injured his 
Majesty's Governnieiit, and friends, who would have l)eeii of 
service to your country in a future day and I do hereby 
reeoniniend it to you to govern yourselves accordingly. 
Jan'y 7th 1782 David Fanning CoPo 

To Mr James Williams Joseph Cokrie ) , 

and Capt Wm. Ramsay, Stephen Walker f -' 

to he forwarded hij them to the Commander hi Chief for the 
time heing on the Ilithliord' district. 

I I'eceived the following answer from Lawyci- Williams 

Chatham Jan'y Sth 1782 
Sir 

I received yours by Mr. E,iggin at the Court House, on 
Sunday last, and inimediately wrote to Gen'l Butler on the 
subject of your surrender. His answer is, tiiat he cannot 
receive you himself but will directly write to the Governor. 
As soon as he receives, his answer, he will transmit it, to 
Maj. Griffith, who will send it to Winsor Pearce's on Deep 
River. If I obtain liberty, I will bring it myself In the 
mean time I would recommend a moderate conduct as the 
best step to bring matters to an accommodation. The 
bearer, Mr. Riggin, has executed the trust you reposed in 
him. I therefore, hope, you will restore to him his property. 
For your civility to me. when I was a prisoner, I will do any 
thing I can in honour. Concerning your surrender Col'o 
Ray and Col'o McDugakl, have surrendered and gone to 
Charle.stown. I am informed b}' Col'o Thackston, I am ex- 
changed with a number of other prisoners, at Cliarlestown 
under a Cartel which is renewed. You may depend as soon 
as I get the Governor's answer, you shall know it. 
I am. Sir, Your most ob't servt. 
Col'o David Fanning James Williams 



I also received another letter from Cap't Ramsay by 
another conveyance 

Jan 8tb 1782 

SlE 

I saw a letter to Mr. Williams and observed what you say 
concerning my case. As to breaking my parole, that I am 
clear of; as Major Craigg a few days before he left Wilming- 
ton sent a party of dragoons to where we were paroled at the 
Sound and ordered ns under the main Guard; whence I 
made my escape ; which I am certain you will not blame me 
for ; as you are well acquainted with my honour ; when I 
was taken prisoner, I had it in my power to escape many a 
time; but as long as I was treated like a gentleman, or agree- 
ably to the rules of war, I would rather sutler death, than 
forfeit my honour, I observe what you say, concerning your 
parole ; but the kind treatment I received at your hands, 
you may rely on it, any thing, Mr. Williams, or myself can 
do for you, in honour, shall not be wanting. Your letter I 
undei'stood is transmitted to the Governor, who I make no 
doubt will comply with your request. Ftir my part I wish 
for nothing else but peace. 

I am Sir your humble servant 

Matthew Ramsey 

I lay neutral, until I got further accounts and on the loth 
Jan 1782 ; Messrs. Williams, Clark, and Burns, Mere kind 
enough to wait on me at Mr. Winsor Pearce's in respect to 
my fomier proposals which I had requested of them, with 
the letter as follows. 

15th Jan 1782 
Sir 

Agreeable to your request I have received order to offer 
you a parole on the terms you desired ; thirty miles east and 
west ; fifteen miles north and south. Hanunond Coxe's mill 
to be the center of vour bounds ; should vuu be inclined to 



[ 45 ] 

go to Cliarie.-itown at a future day, let me know it, and I will 
endeavour to get you that liberty, Mhen I see the Governor. 
You mentioned being way laid, you may be assured that 
I know nothing of it. Mr. William* Mr. Clark and John 
Burns, are the gentlemen that are kind enough to wait npon 
you with this Flag, and a blank parole for yon to sign ; and 
they will give you a certificate for your security against any 
of the American troops to remain as prisoners of war, in the 
bonnds specified. You may rely on it, nothing dishonour- 
able shall be done on my part ; and I have the greatest 
reason to believe that you will act on the same principles. 
Xo inhabitatits of this county shall be molested either, in 
person or property, who have not been guilty of wilful mur- 
der, or plundeiing ; it is the duty of every honest man to 
bring all such to justice in order to restore harmony and 
peace once more to our country. 

I am your obedient Immble servant 

Matthew Kamsat 
To Col. David Fanning 
jwr flay 

Also the following letter was left at Mr. Pearce's by the 
three gentlemen before mentioned. 

Tuesday mokntng 
Sir 

Agreeable to C'apt. Ramsay's letter left for you, we came 
up to Mr. Pearce's, when we made no doubt of seeing you. 
I have seen his instructions to parole you, and you may 
depend no trap is meant for you, to any of our knowledge 
Ray and McDugald were received in the same manner, and 
no man ofi'ered to molest them. Our orders were to have 
returned last niijht, and the lia-ht Horse under the command 
of Capt. Ramsay kept back, until our return ; Therefore we 
• cannot possil)ly stay any longer. If you encline to accept 



[ -t'^^ ] 

the terms nft'ered, which Capt. Ramsay cannot alter, you will 
meet us at Baalaui Thompson's with as many of your men as 
yt)U jilease ; as can he recei\"ed according to the tci-ms vou 
propose : and are your olit. servts. 

I' James "Williams. 
Col'o David Fanning < A. Claek. 

(^ Jno. Burns. 

In the course of this correspondence, endeavouring to make 
peace, I had reason to believe tliey did not intend to be as 
good as their words; as three of their people followed Capt. 
Linley; and cut him to pieces with their swt)rds. I was im- 
mediately informed of it, and kept a look out for them. 
Five days after their return, I took two them and hung 
them, by way of retaliation, both on the limb of the same 
tree; the third made his escape. After this Coin. Alston, 
who was a prisoner of war, at this time, came to me, at Genl. 
Butler s request, to know if I was willing to come to any 
terms. I asked, the reasoTi. why the Governor had not 
answei'ed my letter, and what was the cause of their be- 
haviour to Capt. Linly : I, then, with a number of my Offi- 
cers, set down, and wrote the following letter to General 
Butler. 

" Sir, On friday the 7th of Jany. last I wrote to Mr. Wil- 
liams, the terms I was willing to come under; he wrote for 
answer that he could not comply with my terms, until he 
had the appmbatiou of the Goveruor. On Wednesday the 
11th inst. a flag was to meet me at Winsor Pearce's; with a 
letter. But on its approach, it was waylaid by Capt. Col- 
ston with a party of men which had more the a})pearance of 
treachery than a wish for peace. Had not the gentleman 
(Mr. Baalam Thompson) acted as honourable, for the minute 
he arrived he let me know it, and declared himself innocent. 
This gave me reason to think he would act with honour ; 



[4U ] 

nres in order to suppress every person in arms against his 

Bi'itanic majesty. I am your most obedient humble serv't 

Given under my iiand and" arm as aforesaid 

David Fanning Col Com. Loyal Mi 
John Rains, Mufr 
William Rains, C«j97 
John Cayle, '* 

Wm. Pkick, " 

Abnek Smai.ly " 
Jacob Maukick Lieut 

To Gohn Butler, Geii'l of LLiUnhoro District 
J-'r favour of Col L'hilij) Ahton 

Copy of letter of Gen'l Butler. 

Mount Pleasant Uh March 1782 
Dear Sir 

Your letter of 20th of last month was handed to ine last 
night. I have observed the contents. Had you proposed 
that you and the men now in actual service with you would 
have taken a parole to some certain bounds, until you could 
have been sent to Charleston, to be exchanged, I should have 
entered into that business. But your propositions are many, 
and some of them uncustomary in like cases. I conceive it 
out of my power — However as his Excellency Governor 
Burke is now at Halifax I will send him your letter with the 
proposals to him by express. This is now the 5th day of 
March ; of course, it must be several days after the Stii be- 
fore his answer can come to hand; in the mean time it may 
be as well to postpone the desperate measures, you have in 
contemplation. 

I am your obed servt. 

John Butlek. B. G. for 

IlUhVo diiftrict 
P. S. If you would not choose to be confined in bounds 
any length of time, it might be contrived so that you might 



[ ^<' I 

lie sent off iinniediatelv under an Escort nf u\\ ap]ii)intiii<r to 
(ii'tuTal Greene. lie lias promiseil ti> liave all such cx- 
changetl which I send to his (jnartcrs. 

JkUS rilTLKK B. G. 

About the Tth March 17S2 Capt. AValker and Currie, of the 
Loyal Militia Ml in, with a party of Rehels, and eanie to an 
ongasjenient, and fired for some time, 'till the rehels had fired 
all their ammunition ; and then, wished to come t<i terms of 
peace between each party; and no jilunderiuii'. killing- or 
murdering should be committed by either party or side; 
which was concluded upon by each Colonel, for such certain 
liniite<l boiinds; which was to bo agreed upon by each Colo; 
and if they could not agree, each party was to be neutral un- 
til matters was made known, respecting the terms which they 
liad to agree upon. Soon al'ter ray men came to me and in- 
foi'med what they had done; we received the i-ebel Col. Hal- 
four's answer; that •'there was" resting jilace foi- a torv's foot 
u])on the Earth." lie also immediately sent out his party, 
and on the 10th, I saw the same company coming to a cer- 
tain house where we were fiddling and dancing. We imme- 
diately pre]>ai'cd ourselves in readiness to receive them, their 
number being '21 and our numher only seven ; We immedi- 
ately mounted our horses, and went some little distance from 
the house, and commenced a fire, for some considerable time; 
night coming on they retreated, and left the ground. Some 
time before, while, we were treating witli each other, I had 
ordered and collected twenty-five men to have a certain dress 
made which was linnen frocks, died black, with red cuft's. red 
elbows, aTid red shoulder cape also, and belted with scarlet, 
which was a total disguise to the rehels, which the red was 
all fringed with white fringe, and on the 12th of March, my 
men being all projjerly eipiipped, assembled together, in or- 
dei', to give them a small scourge, which we set out for. Gn 
Balfour's plantation, when we came uiion him, he endeavored 



L ^1 J 

to make his escape ; but we soon prevented liini, fired at 
liim, and wounded liiin. The first ball he received was 
through one of his arms, and ranged through Ids body ; the 
other tlirough liis neck ; wiiich put an end to his commiting 
any more ill deeds. 

"We also wounded another of his men. We then proceeded 
to their Colonel's (Collier,) belonging to said county of Ran- 
dolph ; on our way we burnt several rebel houses, and catched 
several prisoners; the night coming on and the distance to 
said Collier's, was so far, that it was late before we got there. 
He made his escape, liaving received three balls through liis 
shirt. But I took care to distroy the whole of his plantation. 
I then persued our route, and came, to one Capt. John Bry- 
an's; another rebel ofiicci'. I told him if he would come out 
of the house, I would give him parole ; which lie refused, say- 
ing that he had taken parole fiom L(jid Cornwallis, swearing 
" by God ! he had broken that and that he would also break 
our Tory parole. Witii that I immediately ordered the house 
to be set on fire, wliich was instantly done. As soon as he 
saw the flames of the fire, encreasing, he called out to me, and 
desired me to spare his house, for his wife's and children's 
sake, and he would walk out with his arms in liis hands. I 
immediately answered him, that if he walked out, that his house 
should be saved, for his wife and children. When he came 
out, he said "Here, damn, you, here 1 am." With that lie 
received two balls through his body : He came out with his 
gun cocked, and sword at the same time. 

The next day following being the 13th march, was their 
election day to appoint Assembly men, and was to meet at 
Randolph (Jourt House. I proceeded on in order to see the 
gentlemen representatives; On their getting intelligencre of 
,niy coming they immediately scattered; I prevented their 
doing any thing that day. 

From thence I proceeded on. to one Major Dugin's house, 
or plantation, and I distroyed all his property ; and all the 



L ^^ ] 

roK>l otHoors pivportv in the scttlomoiit I'or the dii^taiu'e of 
forty inilos. 

(.^u our M;iy 1 oati-lioii ;\ oouiiuissarv from Salisbury who 
liad some of u>y nu>n prisoners an»l aluiost porislied thoui. ami 
wantoii to hang some of thoni. I oarriod him immediately 
to a eertain tree, wheix^ thoy had hung one of my men by the 
name of .laekson, and delivered him up to some of my men. 
who he had treatevl ill when prisoners ; and they imme- 
diately hung him. Atter hanging lo minutes they cut 
him down. In the mean tinve there was about oOO rebels 
who had enUKHlied themselves and eame after us; On ae- 
count of the rainy weather our guns would not fire on either 
side. We were obligi^l to r^nn^it. on aeeount of their num- 
benj being so much superior. We had reeeive^i no damage. 
AKnit the Sth of Apl. a eertain Capt Williams eame into the 
settlentent, and sent an old woman to me, to inform me, that 
he had arrivinl fmm Gxnr. l>urke that instant ; and had eonie 
in onler to see me ; Mhieh by her deseription. I and my little 
party, imineiliately met him. and he informed me, that he 
had eome to know if I was willing to eoiue u}v>n the terms I 
had alr\\idy presei)tt\l ; and re<jnested to have fiv>ni under 
my own hand a true eo]>y of them : that the Gx^vernor would 
do every thing in his power to have the s;^me a^rr^ed upon 
by his Council and Assembly ; for whieh purjH^se llie s;»id 
Williams w.as sent frv^n the (.T^^vernor. lie also told nie, 
that the Oovernor had said, that any thing I should do. or 
cause to be done, fron\ the eharaeter. he hear\i from the Brit- 
ish at Oharli>stown. that he had not the le;ist doubt, they 
would assent to : — ^that he wishevi to make j>e;uv with me :^ 
s;\ving if 1 w.as taken prisoner, and killed ; that lOt* would 
oertivinly U\se their live*' for it ; aitd he k>.>ket1 ujHm it niueh 
Wttcr to come to terms of }x»a<.-e — that he he,ar\l in Charles- 
town. 1 was killovl : whieh ixvasione^i him to run away frx^m 
Charli\stown ; Vjvn whieh I gave him a o\<py of the articles 
which I wisheil to o-omolv to. With which lie orriered the 



[ -> 1 

Lii^lit Ilorsc tu (lopart tu tliuir (lillV'iviil stiitioiis, till tlit-v re- 
ceived orders t'roiii tlie Governor and Coiiiicil. 

As I W88 ol)li!:;ed to lav neiitriil until I received tlieir an- 
swer, which was to be n]ion terms ol' honour on hoth sides, as 
tlie difterent captains coninnvndinji; the liglit liorse, wrote to 
me resinTtiiii;' tlie same; as appears \>y the toliuwini; K'lters. 

" Siu, I received a few lines tliis (hiy, from C'ap't I'-dward 
Williams, informinjr me, tiiat you and he, had come down 
ycstcrihiy, and si^nilicd that, yon and lie, arc n])on terms of 
comjiromisinii; matters, on (Condition, that F will stop tlie 
Conntv lijijht horse from jiorsning you — •Aim may rest as- 
sured, that it is my desire to hv at peace with all men— Ca])'t 
[fiddle and his comjiany arc at the Court House. I have 
ordered him to stand there, until further orders; and will 
send after (lap't Polston and desire iiim also ; I shall set off 
this morning to the Assemlily, and if it is in my power to 
do, or cause anything to be done, that shall cause peace and 
harmony over the land, you may rest assured I will do my 
best ; and second Cap't Williams, though he gave me no ac- 
count of your proposals ; and am 

with respect your humble serv't 
Ap'l 9th 1782 Rortiou (^ uiFiTrii .Vn/m- 

To Voi'o David Fanning. 



CARfi- AT McCan Ap 10 1782 
Sir, 

I received or(l(>rs from Maj (Iriilith concerning some terms 
between you and him and shall withdraw iny men and Cap't 
Golston's as we are both together, and will not ])roceed any 
further after a]i])rchcnding you or yours, uidcss you coino 
into our county doing mischief, until further orders. 

From your liumhle serv't 
To CoVo David Fanning JosEi'n Rosuk 



Hoping vv^n nor joar* will not intempt anv oi the 
itsnts OI Chatham until matters are further settled. 



SiK, I Ttvieived vour letter vrhioh gives me gnsit saiime- 
tion to hear that von, and some of the officers, have come 
upon terms of peace : which is ail I conld crsve : but I 
should be glad with one of the oficers in cx^m;>any. to meet 
yon and have some ivaveriation tc^iher, and be upon 
honour. If we can cv»me upon terms agreeable to K>th. I 
should imniediatelv mareh my company home. I shall be as 
Mr. Midlins. this evening at two o'clock : and if you c-an 
meet us anvl cv^nverse acrvxss the river, or any other place 
you will choose. 

Ap'l l^h ITS:* I am. Sir. Your obt 

7~f THi>iiA.s IX^rtjAX 



Ap'l 17th ITSi 
Sis 

I. as an oSoer in behalf of the Stare of Xorth Carolina, 
have nrmed c>ui. in order to surpresss any ivnsons disnirtdng 
the v^ace of said State : but when I arrived at Deep Kiv«-. 
I nnder^cxxi that you. and Cap'ts Wiiliaiiis^ A: IK>ugan. 
were aKnit to make a treaty of peace : which I approved 
of v^ery well : and withdrew my trv-c^ towards hc'jne- Bat 
my inea: surr-rire. on my way. I learned thai your men, 
were ro'Mang the peacend and inc-ifejidve people of Cane 
Creek, and Kociey River : which wicied conduct, and the 
srea: desire, I had. for the wel:iare of my Co^aitry. indnoed 
me to stay, a linle k^nger, and endeavour to stop* su«> iv^b- 
hea-v, I th'^efcre wish to inform voa. that I did nc-i - - 



i: 55 ] 

with any view of making yon any way dishonouralilr, but 
many pei-sons not owing true allegiance to the laws of this 
State, are running at large ; and t'all yon their officer. As 
I hope yon a gentlenuin, and will not protect any vagabond, 
I will thank you, to let me know every particular of your 
Treaty ; what bounds you have ; and uj)on the honour of a 
gentleman, I will not interrupt any })erson within said 
bounds, that is of good character with you. I would recom- 
mend, tliat you order Joseph Currio, and Blair, to rt'turn the 
widow Dixon's property, which they robbed her of; and I will 
not write to the (Jovernor concerning it, as you want peace. 
He woidd tliink very little ol' your honour, if he heard that 
your men were robbing his ]>eople, after you had petitioned 
to him. 1 am, t-ir, in belialf of the State, 

To CoVo David Fanning. Enw.vuu Guin, Caj:>iain 

About the ISth of A]>rii Captain AVilliams, came to me, 
again, at Fork Creek and informed me that the original ar- 
ticles of treaty had been laid before the Governor, and As- 
sembly ; and they were upon a conclusion of granting me 
the terms I wanted ; but were prevented by a Colonel, who 
came from over the mountains and was one of the Assembly, 
who did every thing against it. Their objections were ; the 
articles respecting tiie Continental soldiers taken up, and they 
could not allow any pass])orts for any of the friends of the 
government to have any correspondence or connections with 
the British. Every other article they were willing to grant. 
Their Assembly continued on the business for three days; as 
Mr Williams informed me. jifv answer was that " I would 
forfeit my life, betbre I woidd withdraw any one of the arti- 
cles, that 1 lia<l presented, as I wished to hold the same con- 
nection with tiic British, as formerly ; I likewise told him, 
that I had understood, that they had picked out twenty four 
of their best horses, and men, from Virginia in order to per- 
sue nie, and my answer to Mr. AVilliams was '' they might do 
11 



I ..(, I 

tlic'ir lavf, and \tv <laiiiiied" a> I was fully (leterniiued to still 
support my integrity, and to exert myself in l)elialf <if tlie 
King and cDiintry more severer than ever I did." "\Yitli this 
Mr. Williams departed. 

r, then set out for C'iiatham. when I learned that a wed- 
ding was to be that day. On my way I took one prisoner, 
before I eame to the house. Tliere, being but five of iis, we 
ininii'diately surrounded the house in full charge. I ordered 
them, immediately out of the House ; three of my men went 
into the house and drove them all out one by one ; I caused 
tliem all to stand in a row to e.xamine them, to see if I knew 
.'iuy of them that was bad men. I found one. by the name 
of "William Doudy. concealed \\\i stairs. One of mv men 
tired at him ; as he was runniiig from one honse to the 
other; he received the ball in his shoulder. I tlien having 
my pistols in my iiand. disdiarged them both at his breast, 
with which he felh and that night expired. I then paroled 
tile rest, on the I'.'itli. 

I concluded within myselt', that it was better for me to 
try and settle myself, being \vearv of the disagreeable mode 
of living I had borne with Ibr some considerable time. For 
the many kindness and the civility of a gentleman who lived 
in the settlement of Deep River, I was induced to pay my 
addrcs-ses to his da\ighter, a young lady of sixteen years of 
age. The day of Marriage Ix'ing appointed ; — on making it 
known to my peo])le, Cap't "William Hooker, and Captain 
"William Carr, agreed to be married with me. They both 
left me to make themselves, and their intended wives ready. 
The day before, we were to he coupled, the Rebels, befoj-e 
mentioned, with those good hoi-ses, . attacked us (Cap't 
Hooker's horse being tied so tast he could not get him 
loose,) they caught him and murdered him on the spot. My- 
self and Cai)"t Carr, were married and kept two days merri- 
ment. The Rebels thought they were sure of me then ; 
however I took my wife and concealed her, in the woods with 



[ ^~ ] 

Cap't Carr's ; and caused an oration to be ]>ut out, tlint I was 
gone to Cliarlcstowii. In order to be convinced, the Ecl)els 
sent a man in, as a s]iy, witb two letters from Geifl Leslie 
with instructions for me to enlist men for the service which 
I knew was forged, in order to betray me and from the per- 
son or Commanding Officer of the Kebel light liorse. The 
following is one of wliich I gave Gen^l Leslie, that liad liis 
name singed to it. 

CnARLESTOWN 'lOt/l Jdll. 1783 

Dear Colonel, 

Altho I have not be happiness of being acquainted with 
you, yet I can applaud yon very much, for your spirited con- 
duct and activity. The only objection I have to your con- 
duct, is your being too strenuous with those who have been 
subjects to his Majesty, whom the Rebels have overcome and 
forced them to comply witli their laws. If you would let 
them alone, the severity of the Rebels would cause them to 
return to their allegiance again. But Sir since you have 
made so brave a stand already, pray stand steadfast to the 
end, and we shall be well rewarded at tiie last. Try to s])irit 
up your men, and eidlst, if possible, three hundred men tliis 
spring, ready to join three liunilred more; which shall be 
j)ut under your command ; and as nnuiy more as you can 
get, and j'ou be Brigadier General of them. We shall, I 
hope in the month of May land 1.300 troops in North Caro- 
lina, 300 of your corps, 16oO in the whole, to act upon the 
defensive, until you are reinforced. 

Keep good discipline among your troops, and keej) out 
fellows, who will do nothing but plunder. They are but 
false dependence, and will not fight, but only corrupt good 
men. Every man you inlist for 12 months, shall receive ten 
guineas ; and a full suit of clothes ; as soon as we land our 
troops, and they appear under your command ready for ac- 
tion. I can assure you, tis your i'ame and worthy actions 



[58] 

has, through and hv Maj'r Craigg given, reached hi# Majes- 
ty's ears, and I expect perhaps by the next packet boat you 
will get a genteel present from our gracious Sovereign. So 
hoping that you will be iu the way of your duty. I will take 
leave of you, without mentioning your name, or subscribing 
mine, lest this miglit miscarry — the man who is entrusted 
with the care of this, dares not at present be seen in it ; but 
a friend and send it to the man as is Sir voiirs 



To CoVn Fannlnij in No Ca 

A letter from the traitor who brought these two letters 
from Gen'l Leslie. 

Dear Sie 

I would come to see you myself, but am afraid of the rebel 
light horse. I have a great many tilings to acquaint you 
with and a good deal of good news, but dare not write for 
fear of miscarriage. If you have any desire of seeing me 
you must come soon away, instantly. Don't let the bearer 
know the contents of the letters — The fewer trusted the 
better. In the mean time 

I am your friend and serv't 
Ap'l '2i^fh 1TS2 Joseph Wilsojt 

To Cohi Fanning 



^[y answer was in Maj'r Rains" name as follows ; 

SiK. 

I am very sorry to think that there is so many damned 
foolish Rebels in the world, as to think Col'o Fanning would 
be ever deceived by such damned infernal writings, as I have 
received trom you. Col'o Fanning is gone to Charleston, 
and is not to return here 'till he comes with forces sufficient 
to defend this part of the country. I would have you to dis- 



I 59 ] 

band ; and be gone immediately ; for if I ever hear of any 
one of your people coming with any thing of the sort, I will 
come and kill them myself. I am in behalf of his Majesty's 
armies John Rains 

Major of the Loyal Militia. 
To ,/o.s. Wilson. 



On the 1st of May 1782 I heard of a wagon being in the 
road, I imagined she was going down to market, as I heard 
of a number of wagons wliich was to proceed down witli 
liquor tu the market. On the 2d I mounted and persued the 
wagon ; which I heard of the day before ; as I was about 
setting out for Charleston I concluded to have a frolic with 
my old friends, before we parted. After riding about ten 
miles, I overtook the said wagon, wliich belonged to a cer- 
tain man who liad lieen taken prisoner and ]>aroled by the 
British ; and had broken his j^arole. In the mean time, I 
was examining his papers I set a centinel over him. He 
knowing himself guilty, ex2)ected nothing but death. He 
took tlie opportunity, and sprung upon my riding mare, 
and went off with my saddle, holsters, pistols, and all my 
papers of any consequence to me. We fired two guns at 
him ; he received two balls thi'ough his body but it did not 
prevent him from sitting the saddle ; and make his escape. 
I took the other man, and caused him to take me to the 
man's plantation ; when I took his wife, and three negro 
boys, and eight head of horees. I kept his wife for three 
days in the woods ; and sent the man to see, if he would de- 
liver up my mare, and property, containing my papers ; for 
which he wrote me the following insolent letter. 

Sm, Col'o Fanning, I hope tliat you do not blame me for 
what I did. Hoping you will have mercy on me, as I am 
wounded, and let mv wife come to me. Your mare sliall be 



[ t^o ] 

returued to you without fail. Tour mare I don't crave, and 
I hope you dont covet mine. I beg that yon will have pity 
on my wife and children. The negroes and horses I am 
willing you shall keep until you get your mare I have sent 
to a Doctor. But the mare wiU be back to night. Xo 
more, but you may depend on my word 

A^'DEEW HrXTEE. 

I also received the following letter trom Edw'd Williams, 
on the subject of the Mare. 

SiE, Tliese few lines comes, to let you know that I have 
this day seen Mr. Hunter : he is badly wounded and desires 
you would let his wife come to him immediately : As to the 
rest of Ills property, you are welcome to keep, until such 
time's you get your mare returued. which will be as soon as 
possible, as she has gone at this time alter the Doctor. But 
she shall be returned to you. with all speed, as soon as she 
returns. Mr. Hunter also is very ill. 

I am yoiu" ob't humble servant 
CoFo David Fann'tny Edwaed WiLLiAiis 

On the 7th of May. finding I could see no opportunity of 
getting my mare, notwithstanding she was one oi my princi- 
pal creatures, and a mare I set great store by, and gave One 
Huiulred and ten guineas tor her. I was obliged to let loose 
all his horses, except one, as they was of no account to me, 
in the situation I was in : the negroes I kept : I then pro- 
ceeded to a Major Garner's truce laud, in Pedee in South 
Carolina, where I had made a truce with the Eebels, some 
time before; and I continued there until June, when I left my 
wife, horses, and negroes ; as I was entirely a stranger to the 
situation of the country and roads, I was obliged to procure 
a pilot to proceed to Charlestown ; I could not get one for 
less than 20 guineas. After my departure I fell in with the 
rebel dracoons eonmianded bv Colo. Bailie, from Tiririnia. 



[ Gl ] 

I was witli them for about an hour ; and informed them that 
we were some of tlie rebel jiarty then on our way to General 
Marion's head quartei*s. They never discovered otherwise ; 
it beiiiij in tlie <hisk of the evening. "We fell into the rear, 
and went into the woods and struck our camp, and promised 
them we would see them next mf)rnin«-. Iliiwever we ])ro- 
ceeded on that night, and arrived at Herald's point on the 
17th of June, and I immediately procured a passage to 
Charlestown, when I immediately api>lied for a flag; to send 
after Mrs. Fanning and property. The flag had left Charles- 
town two days, when she came in, as Maj. Gainey, had ap- 
plied to General Marion, for a pass for her, to proceed to 
Charlestown ; He would not let her have any of our prop- 
erty, not even a negro to wait on her. 

Soon after the Loyalists, that had got to Charlesto-wn from 
different parts of the world hearing that the Southern Colo- 
nies were to be evacuated by the British foi'ces, called a 
meeting to point out some measures to tiy to hold some foot- 
hold in the country, until we had got some part payment for 
our property which we were obliged to leave if we ever left 
the country. Hand bills were printed and stuck up through- 
out the town for the Loyalists to choose their representatives 
to represent our situation and the desire we had to support 
ourselves and property. It was proposed that 25 Gentlemen 
should be choosen a committee for that purpose. The day 
was appointed to take the vote. I was choosen amongst 
others ; and drew up a petition and sent to Sir Guy Carleton 
Commander in Chief;"' praying the liberty of keeping the 
town and artillery, as they then stood on the works ; and 
despatched two gentlemen oft" with our petition ; Our request 
was not granted. I have hereunto set forth the names of 
the gentlemen representatives ; 

Col'o Ballingall," Jas Johnston Esq, 

Robert Williams Esq,"' Lt Col'o Dupont, 



I ^>2 ] 

Col'o Kobt Wm Powell. Col"o Gray, 

John Gailliard Esq/* Col Casseis, 

John Euse Col Pearson, 

Maj "Win. Greenwood," Col Philips, 

Maj Gabriel Capers," CoVo Hamilton, 

Lt CoFo Thos Intrlis, Wni Cai-son/' 

John Hopton Esq," Dr Wm Charles Wells, 

Robt Johnston, Esq, Col. Thomas Edgehill, 

John Champniss, 

Andrew Millar Esq," Col Sam'l Bryan, 

Coro David Fanning, Doet. Baron. 

I continued in Charlestown until the 5th of Sept. and my 
hoi-ses having got recruited, and one of my negroes having 
made his way good through the country, came down to me ; 
I then set out for the country again, on account of my mis- 
fortune of losing my Mare, which was of great value to me. 
I went up to the settlement again, to the man I sent to 
Hunter before ; and. he informed me, that Hunter refused 
five negroes for the mare, and would not return her. He 
also, went to where, I left one of the negroes and took him 
and sent him over the mountains to keep him out of ray 
way. I continued in the settlement imtil the 22d of the 
month, trying to get her but was disappointed in my hopes. 
Knowing that Charlestown was to be evacuated, I was 
obliged to return ; and as I was on my way, I understood 
ray mare was at a certain place, about 125 miles from 
Charlestown ; being about half the distance from where, I 
then was, toward Charlestown. I instantly persued, on my 
journey to the place. I heard she was ; and my riding horse 
was so particularly known. I sent a man up to the house and 
he was known ; they directed us, the wrong way, and imme- 
diately sent word to where my nuire was : I found out, we 
was wrong ; and took through the woods, and to a house 
within a half a mile, where thev had word of mv coming 



[ c,?, ] 

and was making ready to go to their assistance. On seeing 
us come up, he immediately left his hor^^e, and was running 
oft' through a field; he turned round and presented his piece 
and snapped ; but she missed fire ; With this, I ordered one 
of my men. to fire at him, who sliot him through the body, 
and dispatched his presence from this world. The other two 
men -that was at the house, did not run ; and informed me 
that they had received word of my coming a half an hour 
before I arrived ; and also tliat there were men lying in a«i- 
bush ready to attack me. With this, as the man who bad 
my mare had gone off with her, and having only two men 
and my negro that set out with uie from Charlestown, also 
two little negroes that I had for my mare, I thought it was 
my best way to proceed to Charlestown ; and on the 2Sth 
Sept. I arrived at Charlestown, where the shipping was 
ready for me to embark for St. Augustine. 



East Florida 
We whose names are hereunto subscribed do hereby certify, 
that Col'o David Fanning, late of the Province of No. Ca., 
acted in the station of Col'o of Militia of that Province, and 
was of the greatest service to his Majesty, in suppressing the 
rebels during the late rebellion in North America ; that he 
is worthy of eveiy loyal subject ; both for his valour, and 
good conduct ; — that after he' with his men took the town of 
Hillsborough, dispersed the rebel council, and took a great 
number of prisoners, was on that day wounded in the left 
arm — that finding the town of Wilmington evacuated by the 
British troops, and his wound not yet well, he for the safety 
of his people divided them, into small parties, and continued 
a long time in the back woods — that after many skiraiishes 
in No. Ca. in the month of June 17S2 he with the utmost 
difficulty made his way through many interruptions of the 
enemy, to the province of South Carolina ; wliere his Majes- 
12 



I '- J 

ty's troeips then lay : and tliat he was obliged to leave the 
province, where he lived and lii~ property, •which we are 
informed wa? considerable : and. that, he is now without the 
means of subsistence, having lost his all. for and on account of 
his services and attachment to his Majesty's person and gov- 

e™'^'^"*- JonN Hamilton, 

St. Augustine Lt CoPo Comg R. X. C. Regt. 

•lOih. Sept 17S3 Joiix Legett. Capt 

B. X. C. Regt 
Alx. Campbell, Capt 

S. C. Regt. 
Geo. Dawki>-3 Copt. S. C. Regt. 
DA^-IEL McXeil Caj)t R 

X. C Regt 
Moses Whitlet Lt. S. C Re</f. 



Sc-hed'eel of the property of CoVo David Fanning late resident 
of the province of No. Ca. but now of the province of East 
Florida, lost to him on account of his Zeal and Attachment 
to the British Government and never received any part or 
parcel thereof or any restoration of the same, viz ; 

550 acres of Land in Amelia County in the Pro- 
vince of Virginia with a dwelling House and 
other necessary buildings, a large apple and £. S. 
Peach Orchard, and laa-ge enclosed improvements 6S7.10 

550 acres of land near said plantation heir to the 
estate of my father and some improvement with a 
dwelling House - - - - - - - 412.00 

3 Saddle Horses ------- 41.00 

12 plantation Horses, three imbrok^ - - - 90.00 

2 negro Slaves ------- 100. 

Debts, notes, bonds &e - - - - - - 2S9. 

£ 1625.10 



[ ^^1 

Personally appeared before me, one of his Majesty's Jus- 
tices of the Peace St Augustine Province of East Florida, 
Lieutenant Charles Eoberson ; Niell MoTnnis ; and Philip 
AYisunpunt ; Refugees, of said East Florida ; who lieing 
called upon by the within mentioned Coro David Fanning, 
to value the within mentioned property, who being duly 
sworne ; and maketh oath upon the Holy Evangelists of 
Almighty God ; that the within mentioned property, are 
well worth the sums affixed to each article, as near the value 
as possible, if the same was to be sold, to their own knowl- 
edge and the best information they could get. 

Charles Kobeeson 
Sworne at St. Augustine Keil McInnis 

this 25 Nov. 1783 before me Philip Whisunptjut 

JoHx Mills. J. P. 

I took my passage and landed in New Brunswick on 23d 
Sept 17S4-, and went to Halifax to his Excellency, the Gov- 
ernor Carlton to know how I should get land, but he had not 
arrived, so returned on the 7th Nov'r and in August I re- 
ceived the following letter from CoFo John Hamilton in 
answer to mine in regard to my claim. 

Deae Sir, 

I received yours of the 9th Feb 1785 a few days ago and 
notice the contents. I am sorry to inform you that your 
claims ai-e not yet given in, but I expect the office for re- 
ceiving Claims will be opened again by act of Parliament 
this session ; when you may depend proper care shall be 
taken of yours. I am sorry to hear of your losses. I hope 
you are now agreeably settled, and making something for 
your family. I think if you can leave your business in 
proper hands, a trip to this country would be of service to 
you ; tho' I don't think you would get half pay. The Gov- 
ernment would settle an annuity on you for life ; which can- 
not be done without your coming here. 

If you come you may depend on all my interest in your 



[ m ] 

favour, and I cannot help thinking it wortli your while to 
come home. I am dear Sir your 

London humble servt 

May 10th 1785 John Hamilton. 

In a short time after I heard that there was another act of 
Parliament passed to receive Claims for losses and services, 
also that the Commissioners had arrived at Halifax. On the 
20th March, I set out for Halifax, and presented a eo]3y of 
my claim, as follows ; 

To the Honourahle Commissioners appointed by act of 
Parliament, further to enquire into the losses and services of 
the American Loyalists. 

The Memorial of David Fanning, late Col'o of th^ North 
Carolina Militia, humbly shewetli ; That your Memorialist is 
a Loyalist from North Carolina; who uniformly and re- 
ligiously adhered to his duty and loyalty to the best of Sove- 
reigns ; for which he sutferetl [lersecution, and many other 
inconveniences — that your Memorialist, by a warrant from 
Major Craigg of the S:^d Reg't then comnninding at Wil- 
mington was placed at the head of the Militia of that \n-o- 
vince — that, your memorialist during the late war, did com- 
mand from one to nin(» hundred and fifty men ; with whom 
he was engaged in six and thirty skirmishes in North Caro- 
lina, and four in South Carolina; all of which were of his 
own ])lanning and in which he had the honour to command 
— that your Memorialist killed many of the Rebels — and 
took many of them prisoners. Among the latter, were, 
Governor Burke, his cour.cil, and many Officers of distinction 
in the Rebel army — that your Memorialist was during that 
time, twice wounded, and fourteen times taken prisoner: 
That, on the conclusion of peace, your Memorialist settled 
two hundred and fifty souls in East Florida ; and having 
took refuge in several parts of his Majesty's remaining posses- 
sions in America, finally settled in the province of New 



Bninswick where he now is, in great distress, with his family. 
That your Memorialist, in consequence of liis said loyalty, to 
his Sovereign ; the many services rendered him ; and attach- 
ment to the British Government, had his property, real and 
personal, seized, confiscated, and sold by rebel authority — 
Your Memorialist therefore prays that his case may be taken 
into consideration ; in order that he may be enabled under 
your report to receive such aid or relief, as his case may be 
found to deserve. 

St. John March 1st 1786 David Fanning 

When I presented my claim to Peter Hunter Secretary to 
the Commissioners ; he gave me no kind of satisfaction, and 
on my asking hiiu if I could come under an examination, he 
told me to be gone, he did not think the Commissioners 
would receive my claim. When I found, I could get no 
hearing at Halifax, at that time, I returned home with a full 
resolution never to trouble myself any more. At the time of 
being in Halifax I met my old friend, Cap't John Leg- 
gett, of the Royal North Carolina Regiment, who said he 
would speak to the Commissioners in my favour. He also 
gave me a copy of the following letter from Lieut Col'o Arch 
McKay.— 

London Nov 15th 1785. 
Dear Captain 

Ever mindful of your good will and the kindness you 
showed unto me since I had the pleasure of being acquainted, 
with you induces me to write you a few lines at present in- 
forming you of my success since I came to England, knowing 
you would be glad to hear of the provision made for me. 
When I came to England, I got a hearing by the Commis- 
sioners of American claims, and they granted me Thirty 
pounds, yearly for temporary subsistence. I, then, laid a 
memorial to Sir George Young, for Captains half pay ; but I 
must confess I thought my chances for that bad enough, as 



[ t38 ] 

I was not ;u'(juainted witli any of the Generals wlio com- 
manded in America; but since it was only amusement to 
try, I o-ot a certificate from Col'o Ci'aigg, and another from 
Coro Hamilton ; and laid them in with the memorial, it was 
with a good many others, a long time from OHice to OtKcc ; 
at length they allowed me Seventy pounds sterling, yearly, 
for life for my services in America, exclusive of the Thirty 
jiouuds. Upon the whole I do not repent coming to Lou- 
don, as things have turned out. 

I wrote to Cai)"t McNeil this morning, not thinking I 
should haVe time to write to yon, before the Shij) sailed ; 
and I had nut time to write to him so fully, as I could wish ; 
but I will mind better next time. 

I intend to spend next summer in Scotland, if every thing 
turns out here to my expectation. I would be glad to get a 
long letter from you concerning your new settlements. You 
will please to write to me, under cover to Messrs. John and 
Hector McKay, No. 5. Crown Court, Westminster; and if I 
am in Britain I shall be sure to get any letter that may come 
for me. After my jaunt to Scotland I hope to do myself the 
honour to call and see you on my way to New Providence, 
where Alex'r and Malcom McKays are gone. I am Sir, with 
due respect 

Ti) Your sincere friend iV' humble serv't 

Ciqd John Lcijc'ft. Archibald McKay" 

I returned home and coiitiinu^d until the 27th June 1787, 
when I was entering the suburbs of the city of St John. I 
accidently met Ensign Henry Niss, with a letter, from the 
conunissiouers. desiring me to attend immediately for an ex- 
amination. I still retained my ujunion ; but on informing 
Col'o Joseph Robinson he prevailed with me, after a long 
pei^suasion, to call and see the Commissioners ; which I did ; 
in company with CoFo Robinson : I was treated with every 
civility and all attention paid to me. After my exauunation 
thev ii-ave me the following certilicate. 



[ *v.) ] 

"Office of Amiouican Claims 
Si John M Fehy 17S7. 
We do hereby certify that, David Fanning has undergone 
an examination on oath before ns, as an American sufferer 
from No. Ca. We are satisfied by his own account, and by 
the evidence he has produced, that his exertions in support 
of tlie British Gov(!rument, as Col'o of the Chatham, and 
Randolpli County Militia, during tlie late troubles, in Amer- 
ica, have been very great and exemplary ; — that he has been 
severely M-ounded in several engagements and has in other 
respects been a great sull'crer ; though from [jarticular 
reasons, it will not be in our jiower to make him any consid- 
erable all(5wance in our r(!port. We therefore reconnnend 
him as a proper person to be ])ut on tlie half pay list as (,'ap- 
tain, and to have an annual allowance from Government 
equal to that half jjay. 

Thomas Dundass 
J. Pembeeton 

After this I received a letter from my Agent and found I 
had lost property to the amount of £l(i25. SIO. accord- 
ing to an appraisment of three men acquainted with the 
projierty. But, as it was not like a coat taken out of my 
hand, or gold taken out of my pocket, I could not get any 
thing for my losses, although I did not give in nothing like 
the amount of my losses. I lost 24 horses ; and only reported 
15; one of which cost more than all I ever got from the 
Government ; and six head of cattle, £289 for property sold 
at the connnencement of the war, and the Land which T was 
heir to and for which I refused many times £300U Virginia 
currency. But because I turned out in the service of my 
King and country in the 20th year of my age, and my exer- 
tions were very exemplary, I have lost my all, for and 
account of my attachment to the British Crown — only Sixty 
pounds received which would not pay the expenses I have 
been at to obtain it. 



[ "M 

I can prove what I have here wrote to be facts, and the 
world will be able to judge after reading this narrative ; and 
observe this Act of oblivion passed in X. Carolina in the 
year 1 7S3 which is hereunto annexed — which is enlarged and 
improved in the London Magazine wh.ich will be found on 
page 607. vol. 1. from July 1. to Dec 1. 17S3. 

The act of Pardon and Oblivion is there quoted, passed 1 7th 
May 17S3 signed by Rich'd Caswell 

Spadrr of Senate 
E Staeke 

Sj>eal-tr of Commons 

the pronso to the tirst section declares that "Xothing therein 
contained shall extend pardon to Peter Mallett, David Fan- 
nins and Samuel Andrews — or any person guilty of delib- 
erate and willtul murder : robbery ; rape : house breaking or 
any of them." 

This narrative concludes — " Many people is fools enough 
to tliink. because our three names is particular pxit in this 
Act, that we are all guilty of the crimes set forth. — But I 
defy the world to charge me with rape, or anytliiug more, 
than I have set forth in this Joiimal. 

All his Majesty's subjects or others that wishes to know 
the truth of any thing further than I have set forth, let them 
make enquiry of those gentlemen whose names I have stmck 
in ; examine the letters of the Eebels. and the recommenda- 
tions of the Otiicers who have been acquainted with me in 
person and with my services in the time of the late war. 

Although I have been exhibited from receiving any bene- 
firs from the laws of the State, all that I desire is to have the 
liberty of commanding 30000 men in favour of the British 
sovernment. I liatter myself that there would be no doubt 
of my putting many of them to swing by the neck, for their 
honesty, as John TVTiite did. ;\fter stealing 150 horees in 
North Carolina. 



NOTES. 



Note 1. Page 1. 

Flf.aciiai.i. TiroMA^, t-lioulil lie Fk-tcliall, as it is on pase 3. lie was a Colonel, 
and at tlii' licail of a considerable force of Loyalists in Soiitli Carolina durinj; tlie 
difficulties with the Cunniii|;l]ains, in 1775; and sijrued the truce or treaty which 
was agreed upon between the Whiirs and their opponents. After llie surrender 
of Charleston, he was in commission under the crown. In 178J his estate was 
confiscated. He appears to have been a person of much consideration in South 
Carolina, previous to the Revolution ; and to have been rej^ardcd as of rather 
doubtful or uruleeided jiolitics, thougli the Whigs made him a member of an im- 
portant standing einninittee, raised with the design of carrying out the views of 
the Continental Congress. 

The following letter to define his position is published by Gibbes : 

Faik I'okest, Mumhiij, Juhj 24, 177.5. 
Honored Sik: 

I received yours dated the 14tb ult., wherein I am informed, that many reports 
have been maliciously asserted against me to the Committee of this Province, 
which I can make appear to be false. I received a letter from Messrs. John 
Caldwell, .John and James Williams, who is said to be committee men, dated tlie 
4th of this instant, requesting me to call my regiment together in order to sign the 
Association paper. Accordingly on the lotli of this Instant, I did, in obedience to 
those gentlemen, and went to every Cai>tains Company that was in tlie regiment, 
when drawn up, and requested Major Farry to read the pai)er to every eomiiany, 
which accordingly was done. I don't remember that one man oll'ered to sign 
it, which was out of my power to compel them too ; but that it was agreed 
amongst the peo))le in general to sign a paper of their own resolutions, and that 
application was made to Major Joseph Kobinson, who was then present, to draw 
a paper of .some resolves, which the people in general did sign unto, from Savan- 
nah river to Broad river, which consisted of my regiment, Colonel Starke's reyri- 
ment, and apart of Colonel Savage's regiment. I must inform you, sir, there is 
6ome of our highland gentlemen who are very aspiring and fond of commission, 
thinking to get in favor with the gentlemen in town, will say anything but the 
truth, and when they arc as well known in town as they arc in the countiT, I 
believe they will be of my opinion. In fact we never had any representatives, 
not one man in fifty ever gave any vote for any such thing. You seem, sir, to 
intimate to me that I should have joined, but the thought of losing my eommis- 
eioD seem to deter me. As for mv commissions, I care not who has then> ; a mau 

13 



[ '2] 



tlKit is to bo boiislit by a commission, is not wortliy of one, altlionnh tliat is tlie 
jiiiiH' of many. I mnst say tliis in favor of myself, I never liuve eoncmxeil in 
those matters now in liand, knowing I was not oalevilated for snch an enterprise ; 
but must inform you, sir, I am lieartily sorry tliat I am looked on as an enemy 
to my eonntry. I wish you may have no greater reason to complain auainst 
some, that you little suspect, than you have against nie. But, in the meantime, 
I must infoim you, sir, I am resolved, and do utterly refuse to take up arms 
asainst my kin:;, until I lind it my duty to do otherwise and am fully convinced 
tiicreof. 

I am sir your honor's most obedient and humble servant, 

Tuo. Fletciiall. 

Hon. II. L.vntENS. 

President Council of Safety. 

F.vii! FouEST, the residence of Colonel Fletehall, was in Union district. South 
Carolina. 

K.vBfRN's Cr.EEK is a hranch of Keedy F.iver ; and is in Laurens district, South 
Carolina. 

*• There was a very srood pi't's^kit^ai-iiif/ Minister to call at the ditTerent places to 
preach and baptize children." 

Ficnn (iibbcs Doc. History of South Carolina, we learn that the Kev. William 
Tenncnt travelled thron^h this reirion in c(unpany with Hon, W. H. Drayton at 
the request of the Couunitteeof Safety of South Carolina. The one for the pur- 
poses seated by Famuns, the other to rouse the jieople to the cause of the 
colony. On the 21st Aug., 177.5, Mr. Tenncnt preached on Louff Cane Crock 
"at one of .Mr. Harri.s' lu'eachiug stands." This Journal says: "After the ser- 
mon, spoke as usual on the snlijcct of my mission, was seconded by Mr. Harris 
and .Mr. Salvador to good ciYcet, returned to Mr. Kecd's. The congregation was 
solemn and atVeetcd. Mr. Calhoun and other gentlemen returned with me, and 
spent the evening on subjects fit for the times." 

Ttiinciit's Joiinia! in Gibbes Doc. //is. 17(>4-"7(!, page 233. 

Mr. Teuuent was doubtless the very gooA prcfpclcariiig nuuister alluded to by 
F:inning. 
Mr. Salvador, called in Fanniug's illitci-ate way Silvedoor. 

Note 'J. P.vue 2. 

0"Xe.\i. Henky. of South Carolina. Was in commissiou under the crown after 
the surrender of Charlestou. His estate was eontiscated. 

XOTE o. P.VOE 2. 

liuowx TuoM.vs. of Augusta. Georgia. Having openly reviled the Whigs at a 
dinner party in IVTo, he was arrested, tried, and condemned to be tarred and 
feathered, and publicly exposed in a cart, to be drawn three miles, or until he 
was willing to take an oath to espouse the cause of the republicans. He chose 
the latter ouly to get otf from a part of the punishment, for he soon joined the 
l>riti>U arniv uud was made Lieuteuaut Colonel. After the fall of Charlestou 



[ "-n 



Brown was stationed at Augusta, and wUile commandant at that place retaliated 
upon the Whigs, willi a liereeuess coniuiensiiralc' witli his wratli. He senl out 
detacliments to bum tlje dwellings of the patriots in his vicinity, and dispatelied 
emissaries among tlie Indians to incite lliem to murder the inliahitunts on the 
frontier. His autliority for tliese atrocities was a letter which Cornwallis had 
sent tothe commanders of all llie British outposts, ordering tliat all tliose who 
had " talienparl in tlic r<!Volt sliould he punislied witli tlie utmost rigor and also 
that those who would not turn out sliould he imprisoned, and their wliole prop- 
erty talien from them or destroyed." Every militiaman wlio had borne arms 
in the King's service, and afterwards joined the Whigs, was to be "Immediately 
hanged." — Brown fuHilled his order to tlic letter. Oilicws, soldiers and citizens 
were bronifftrtto tlie phice of execution without being informed why they were 
talvcn out of prison. Tlie morning after the receipt of tliis letter, live victims 
were taken from tlie jail by order of Col. Brown, all of whom expired un the 
gibbet. 

Note 4. Page 3. 

Cunningham IIobf.rt, was an Irisli settler in the district of Ninety-six, now 
Abbeville, wliere he was commissioned a judge in 1770. He incurred tlie dis- 
pleasure of the Whigs in 177."), wlien lie disapproved of tlicir proceedings in sus- 
taining the cause of Massachusetts, and in the adoption of tJie non-importation 
act. In tlic course of that year he was seized and imprisoned in Charleston. 
His brotiier, Patrieit, assembled a body of friends in order to cflcct his release. 
The Whigs dispatched Major Williamson witli a force to prevent the accom- 
plishment of their object; but Cunningham's jiarty being superior, he was com- 
pelled to retreat. A truce or treaty was linally arranged, and both Whigs and 
Tories dispersed. In July of 1770, Kobert Cunningham was allowed his freedom 
without condition, and removed to Charleston. In 1780 he was created a 
Brigadier General, and placed in command of a garrison in South Carolina; but 
in 1781 was at tlie head of a force in the held, and encountered Sumter. His 
estate was confiscated in 178:2. After the peace he petitioned to be allowed to 
continue in South Carolina. His request was refused, and he removed to 
Nassau, New I'rovidcnce. The British Government made him a liberal allow- 
ance for his losses, and gave him an annuity. He died in 1813, aged sixty-four 
years. 

Note 1). Page 3. 

Robinson Joseph. A native of South Carolina who held a royal commission 
after the capitulatiou of Charleston. His estate was confiscated. 

Note C. Page 11. 

Ct;NNiNGHAM WiLLiAM, of South Carolina, was known as " Bloody Bill," and 
there seems no little evidence to show that he deserved the appellation. He 
commanded a band of Tory marauders known as the "Bloody Scout," and for 
awhile they spread terror throughout the region which they infested, embracing 
the Uniou and Sjjartanburg districts and ■And south of the Ennorce. At the 
commencement of the war he was incliucd to be a Whig, accepted a military 



[ '^ ] 



commission nnd served in the campuigii of 1T7(>. Cliangins sides, he became 
an otlieer and a >rajor in tlie service of tlie Crown, and was enjinscd in many 
desperate exploits and liand to liaiid tislits, 'IMie most active opponent of this 
scoundrel was William liealc of Ninety-Six, He formed a seoHtintj part.v of 
Whi^s and tliey soon bee.ime a terror to the Tories. Oil one occasion Cunning- 
ham and his party i>lundercd the house of Bcale's mother durius: liis absence. 
On his return, Beale went in pursuit, and .approaehins- Cunningham, the latter 
wheeled, and with a pistol shot Scale's horse dead. On another occasion Cun- 
ningham and his parly sniroundcd a house where Beale and a Whig -nere stay- 
ing. Tliey heard tlic approach of the Tories, when rushing to their horses and 
rattling tlieir swords, Beale gave command as if to a troop. It was dark, and 
Cunningham, who had tliirtecn men with him, tied in great haste. 

Cunningham's property was eouliseated in 1TS3, and at the close of the war he 
retreated to Florida. 

Coi.oxn. Mii.i.s, whose name appears in this connection, was taken prisoner at 
King's Mountain, and was (uie of the twelve Tories executed after the battle. 

CoLDNEi. Pickens, was tlio father of the late Governor Andrew Pickeus, and 
grandfather of the present Governor Francis Pickens of South Carolina. 

KoTr: 7. P.vge 13. 

Pr PETSTrn AnK.vnAM, of New Y.uk. lie was Captain in the New York 
volunteers. At the battle of King's M(nintaiu he was second in command, and 
imnicdiately after the fall of Major Ferguson hoisted a Hag as a signal of surren- 
der. He was paid otf on the morning of this battle, and his life was saved by a 
bullet striking a doubloon in the pocket of his vest. He weut to St. John, N.B., 
at the peace, and reccivi'd half pay. He was treasurer of the colony and a 
Colonel in the militia. He died about ITltS. 

The action at .Mnsgrove's Mill, on the Ennoree river, is thus mentioned by 
Lossing: "On tlie 18th of August, ITSO, Col. Williams (who fell at King's 
Mount.ciu a few weeks after), w ith Colonels Shelby and Clark, attacked quite a 
large body of llritish, under Colonel Innis and Major Fraser, near Mnsgrove's 
Mill, upon the Ennoree, in the northeastern corner of Laurens district. Many 
Tories were collected there, and were joined on the seventeenth by Innis and 
Frsiser. The whole force was about three hundred strong, and were encamped 
upon the south side of the river, where they commanded a bad rocky ford. The 
Americans, whose force was much less, took post on the north side upon a small 
creek whicli empties into the Ennoree just below the Spartanburg line, about 
two miles above Mnsgrove's Mill. It was agreed that Williams should have the 
chief command. He drew up his little army in ambn.sh, in a semicircle within 
a wood, and then iiroceeded to entice the enemy across the river. For this pur- 
pose lie took a few picked men, appeared at the ford, and tired upon the enemy. 
The stratagem was sueeessful. Innis immediately crossed the tbrd to dislodge 
the 'rebels.' Williams and his party retreated hotly pursued by Innis until 
within the area of the patriot ambuscade, when a single shot by Colonel Shelby 
gave the signal for attack. With a loud shout the coneealed Americans arose, 
aud in two luiniitcs the Tories were completely surrounded. Colonel Innis was 
slightly wounded, but, with the larger part of his regulars, he escaped. Mnjor 



[75 



Fraser was killed with ci^lity-five others. Colonel Clary, the commander of Ihe 
militia, escajied, hut most of his men were made prisoners. The Anierieans lost 
four killed and eleven wounded." 

Note 8. Page 13. 

Ferguson Major Patrick, was a Scotchman, a son of the eminent jurist, 
James Ferguson, and nephew of Patrick Murray (Lord Elihank). lie entered 
the army in i'landcrs at the age of eighteen years. lie came to America in the 
spring of 1777, and was active in the battle on the Brandywine, in September of 
that year. lie was active on the Hudson in 1771), and accompanied Sir Henry 
Clinton to South Carolina. He invented an improvement in rillcs, which was 
used with much elfect. He so distinguished himself at the siege of Charlesttm 
in 17S0, that lie was particularly mentioned by the commander-in-chief. He was 
on the high road to military fame when he was slaiu at Khig's Mountain, 7th 
Oct., 1780. 

This defeat over the Royal arms was fatal to Lord Cornwallis' first invasion of 
North Carolina. Fanning, it appears, was with Maj. Ferguson on the 3d Oct. on 
Ferguson's retreat from Gilberttown to King's Mountain. 

Col. Williams, whose name is mentioned in Note 7, fell in this battle. He 
was a native of Granville county, N. Carolina. He moved to S. Car'olina in 1773. 
He early espoused the patriot cause. After the battle at Musgrove's Mill he 
raised a corps of eavali-y in N. Carolina, and returning to S. Carolina, continu- 
ally hovered around Ferguson's camp and watching his movcinentb. He was 
near Major Ferguson, and both oflieers received their death-wounds at the same 
moment. He died on the morning after the battle, and was buried within two 
miles of the jilace where he fell. Tradition says his first words after reviving a 
little, soon after he was shot, were, "For God's sake, boys, don't give up the 
hill !" He had two sons, Daniel and Joseph, of the ages of fourteen and si.xtccn, 
in this battle, and both of them escaped unhurt, but were afterwards murdered 
in cold blood by a band of Tories under Robert Cunniiighani, who had a personal 
conflict with their fatherand mother at the beginning of the revolution. 

Note 0. Page 14. 

His (Cornwallis) pursuing Gen'l Greene. For an interesting account of this 
pursuit, see the account in " Lossing's Ficld-Book of the Kevolution," 3d volume, 
page 000 to 004. 

Charles, Earl of Cornwallis, was born in 173S. In his early career friendly 
to llie cause of the colonists ; sent to America, and was in the battle of lirandy- 
wine, 1777; commanded at Camden, S. C, and defeated Gen'l Gates in 1780; 
also at Guilford, N. C., and defeated Gen'l Greene on l.ith March, 17S1. Sur- 
rendered at Yorktowu with all his army to Washington, 19 Oct., 17S1. Governor 
of East Indies in 178(3. Lord Lieutenant of Ircdand in 17!)S. Governor-General 
of India in 1801, and died at Ghazepoore 180.5, leaving issue. 

The destruction of the Tories under Col'o Pyles by Col. Lee was complete. 
Caruthers, in his Revolutionary Incidents, or Old Nortli State in 1776 (page 151), 
states that Fanning was with Piles on this occasion. This is an error. Fanning 
says himself that " at this time he was at Deep River." 



[ ' ^ ] 

Note 10. Pace 14. 

GriLFORu. The battle of Giiillbrd Court-Houfe resulted in the defeat of the 
Aiiieiicau!?. Although they had double the nuiuber of men commanded by 
Coruwallij, yet they wea' eompletely routed; but the British did not triumph 
gnatly over it, for, when the news readied England, Fox moved in committee 
" Tliat his Majesty's Ministers onirht immediately to take everj- possible meas- 
ure for coneUidins: peace with our American Colonies ;" and in debate he declared, 
'• Another such victory will ruin the British army." The loss of the British was, 
in killed and wounded, over six hundred men, besides officers. That of the 
Americans about four huudreil, and eight huudrcd and titty of the Va. and X. C. 
Militia deserted. 

Note 11. P.ige IT. 

H.iMiLTOx. Jonx. A native of Scotland. Previous to the Revolution he was, 
for some yeai-s, a merchant in the town of Halifax, of much wealth, influence and 
sasticity. His Kesiment was au important portion of Cornwallis" forces in the 
Ciunpaisrns of ITSO and ITSl ; and it may be well doubted whether any loyalist in 
any one of the Provinces served the crown throujrhout the entire period of the 
contest with equal ability, fidelity and efleet. In ITTii his property was contis- 
catcd. lie was for many years alter the Kevolutiou the British Consul at Nor- 
folk. Va. — &e L^ctiDvs o/t AVc. IB^t. i;r'-V. C, by i/iiicA-iS, Swain ami GniAam, pages 
ISl. l:j.'. 

DrPLEV, GriLroKP. tneutioued by Fanning on j^age IG. was bom in 1756, and 
resided at Halifax, where he claims to have assisted in raising, in 1TT4, the first 
volunteer company organized in America for the conflict. In ITTtj he served in 
the campaign which terminated in the battle of Moore's Creek. He was in the 
battle of Camden, and bore frt>m the field the gallant Col. Porterfield mortally 
wounded. He fought at Hobkirk's Hill, and continued in the serrice till the 
autumn of 17S1. He married a niece of John Raudolph. of Koanoke, and his 
sou. Dr. J. B. Dudley, published a volume of the letters of the great parliamen- 
tarian. For interesting autobiographical notices see jiapers published iu the 
Southern Liteniri/ iltsfeiigtr, vol. "2. 144, ".'51, 2S1-S70, by Charles Campbell. 

Note li. F.vge AL 

TrKNEK EosEKT. Sabine only says of him. that he was of Guilford county, 
N. C. and his property was confiscated in 1TT9. 

It is no less true than curious of the list of names presented by Fanning as 
his coattjutors iu his dark and bloody acts, how few died natural deaths. The 
antiquarian researches of Gov. Swain, furuish the following particulars of their 
history. Fanning himself narrowly escaped the gibbet in ISOO. for rape com- 
mitted in St. John. N. B. 

JoHS R.viNS Olajorl was alive in 1S19 in Tennessee, a miller and very poor. 

RiCHAKD EiiwAKDS was killed at Kirk's farm a week before the battle of Cane 
Creek. 

Edward Edwards, his brother, who succeeded to the command, was killed 
the next week at Liudley's Mills. 



[ 77 ] 



MEUDETn Edwards, Thomas Dauk, Thomas Eastbidge and Thomas Rick- 
ETTS were convieled of Iitukoii ii( Hillisboio in January, 17*i, and executed. 

John Rains, Sr., was killed at Liriilliy's Mill. 

John Cagi.e, or Ea^le, hanged at Pee Dec. 

James Rice lianged at same plaec. 

David Jackson hanged hi the lower end of Randolph. 

Stephen AValkeii was shot In April, ITHIi, hy Col, Gholson on Deep River. 

James Lindi.kv, Simon Lindi.ev, were shot in the mountains. 

Thomas Bi.aiu settled on New River, hullt iron works, and became rich. 

John McLean (sober John), who had cliarge of Ciov'r Burke when a prisoner, 
settled on tlic lower Cape Fear, near the Hlulf C'huich, under the protection of 
his whig friend John Smith. 

Alesandek McKav died a rieli man in the West Indies. 

Capt. Damei. McNeill went to Nova Scotia. 

Col. Di'ncan Rav went to Nova Scotia. 

Peteh Mallett. In regard to this gentleman (who is specially excepted 
with Fanning and Samuel Andrews in the act of 17«3 of pardon and oblivion), 
his autobiography still exlant,und other evidence, will i-how that he was the vic- 
tim of prejudice, arising from abuses in the commissary department to which he 
belonged. He was a man of Intelligence and integrity. 

McDrOALD AitcH. Col. He is probably the Colonid McDougal who desired 
Fanning " not to Insert in his narrative anything of his servessas, as he intended 
going hack to North Carolina to live." It being well known that he went to 
Nova Scotia, where he remained live or six years, then to London, obtained a 
pension, and afterwards returned to North Carolina, where he lived to a good 
old age, raised a respectable family, and enjoyed the reputation of a generous, 
warm-hearted man. 

Note 13. Page 23. 

Caruthcrs gives a graphic account of the attack by Fanning on Col. Alston, 
mentioned by him on page 27, In his interesting Revolutionary Incidents ; and 
the heroic conduct of Alston's wife, by whose solicitations Col. Alston's life and 
that of his men was spared. " The house," says Dr. Caruthers, " stands now 
just as it did then, with the exception of some additions, and bears all the 
marks of war that It had when left by Fanning." " Dr. Chalmers now lives in 
the house which was then occupied by Col. Alston. Col. Alston lived only a 
short time after the war, having been killed by a negro whom he had treated 
with severity or i)rovok«d in some way." " Dr. Chalmers, two or three sum- 
mers ago, travelled through the State of Tennessee, and became acquainted with 
the sons of Col. Alston." 

Note 14. Pace 30. 

Legcett John. Was Captain in Col. Hamilton's Roj'al North Carolina Regi- 
ment. His property was eonliscated in 177!(, and purchased by General Harring- 
ton, who, though he had been greatly Injured by him, generously conveyed the 
land to Leggett's wife and daugliters. Leggett was with Fanning and others at 
81. Augustine in 1783, but subseciueiitly retunied to North Carolina. 



[ -n 

MvNkw Ukcix^k. lu (ho tii-si miliiary oUv)>o«*artor tho Uoyal Gowmment 
was ai an end, ho iwviv^sl a ivu««i#*i»» |V\>»« tho Whisi's- l»<n in VT7t< ho si>- 
(Hcti\s\ in *n\\s !»»i^.«iu#t thorn, aiuV ^v;v^ isKou i>ri#v>uor and oin»fi>u\\ in jail ; s>ih- 
s^siuoullv ho hold tho rank K>f 0»>\n>ol i>i> tho sido of tho orvnvu, and 0\>mmand<\i 
tho !?\Vtoh tv>tws undor KauniniT, whon Goh, Bm-ko was oavturxM v<n tho I'^h 
vv>i- av\v>\lins; to ivntoinjvi-attivn* »\\\>AJji, tho lSth> v>f !j<'VtomlHT, ITSl, llo is 
>Y(>ivsontv\l to havo Kvn a luau wf sj^hsI moral olv»raotor, and as bravo as a lion. 
Ho toll at tho hoad v>t" his wiutttand a day or two atV'r tho capttiiv of lUlls- 
lH>>\>«sh. at tho l^attlo of».\<uo Or\-ok, ^>iorv^^l by tiw or six l>aUs- 

M>;f-.vNK, rhis fivn>ily is still numorvni* in Orans;v, t.'aswt-U, i5uiUV>i\l, and 
othor vwintios in North (."arv'tiita ; and bnmoho* oi" it liavo \vrvado\l and (V(>m- 
latixl tho 5>!atos of ro«nos--vV, Ko»t«oK.v, Indiana, Arkasvsas, Louisiana and 
'lV\aSv It is vlisti>va;«ishi\l tV>r {\»t riot ism, intosjriiy atvd snvi>j: ovnnmon sonso, 
Tlvo vNMumojt anvtstor was AivXAM^VK, who was a i>atiw of Iroland, and who 
o>nis;rat>\i to IVnusyhania Ions* Wt'otv our rovolutivHt, wUoro ho rcmaiuovl sov- 
o>^>l yvsai-!k Ho mov«\l to North ».'ar>.>iina, and sottUsl in tho Haw- tiolds, in 
Orausiv c^nmty. Ho was skilltVil and ivrstvorinsT in his business, auvl aovjuir^vi 
vvns\>iorat>U' wealth, 

Whou tlio Kovolutivxx brv,<ko out, ho, with hi* sotvs, tvvk a divsd«\l staml for 
UK-rty, for whioh tho Brttis5> and Torti's vvramittixl siroat doi<rv\iaiions ujvm his 
j\t\>5K-rty. Ho was t>.>«.» old himsolf lor sorvivv, but liis svnis. si\, wor\- all iu «h* 
sorvivv of tho ^wmtry. 

I, WuivvM was a t.'avtaisi of Militia, momlvr vvf tho Souato iu ITS?, twio>> 
luarri^si, 1st to Miss .Mvrvjwsubio, and 'Al to a dati^tor of Kev'd B<M\)amin 
Kaitv,v ; uo issv<o »,>y oithcr, 

IU Kv\>«;nv, tho 5vrsox\ s>U«d»\l to by V'auuiivi;, a Ooiouol in tho Cv>ntiHonial 
.\rmy- '«as with vJonl Kutlu-rtoixl in vr;\v, in •■ snowy o^uitwiam" ajjaittst "the 
Ovorl'.iU Chorok«\-,s," roi^arkaWo for his .^thlotio and lar>^- jvtsvni, in txwtty bat- 
tU-s and skirmistu-s with tho Brtiishand VonoSs and distii^uishoxl fv^r valour al 
tho K-vttlo of v.^»«o (.Vvk, whoro ho attaok^\l and dofoatssl Vauuii^. Ou his way 
t^\^m the >.>siv VVar vvxustry, ho was kiilovl by Uoury Uij:l>towor, a \K>ti\\ Tory 
and hoTs^^shiot", Dr. J«.>Iin ,V. Motvauo, of v,ir«vs>stv>cvv has his sworvU taken tVvta 
a HritisJ', otS-vr, 

IU, ,\i*Oi.A\t>SK, N>rti iu IVnvtsytvauia, inSth Nov, lT-»*^ aetJvv in tho eaus* vxf 
UKrty, «.\>i«iuissary at H5UsNvn.\ whiu OomwaUis tvs* tlu- town, auvl iwrrovfly 
t'Sv'Sjwl i>j< fvVt, U>s»t\jc a >'aluabie tuaro, saddle, brKiwo, hvxistors a!^\ i>is5v<s; mom- 
K-rvvf the i,"o«v5-nti^v« or Oonji-rx^ss tJxat m<! at Halifiix, IXv, ItW, to t\>nu tlw 
Ootwtisution v\f N. C„ aitvl k\f the t.\wvo«tio« at HiUslvtw ibj»t tvjwtevl the >\\i- 
erai v,\>«s!itutioK, MoiuVr of tunts, . ;" ■.,',■ ••,-.,>•,>*, itv iT^ w tih sv>;ao intonnis- 
ssv-us, tr,l ^^,>^. FUvt^sl by the l,e_ ^avlK'rUoiwral, In IT«X, otevtovl 

a tnetnVr of CvHVjiTess, ands^-rvv\l \ . ta, Ko-eUvtkxt to OvHisrtvss, but 

diwl betotv- tho session, ^;h July, ITVix l^»Kv uwrrkvk Isl Mary Artustrx'u^, by 
whom h< had twvlvv ehildron ^tv^ur s>.>t»s asKi <%{tt vlav^ir^tersV an\i Al Kit5ab<e!h 
Kiix-htM, X>y whvvm Ik- bjid six ehildrvu ^fivv s\>i>s au\i v>i',o ^UwcfeterV Of tlKsr 
Jatue* MeK«K- late of Ya-,KvyviUo v^tl»or of ViiW Mebsmo, Ks\t, xtow o«" Ai*- 
maaooV »t>o 6rs» JVsid^m ofU»o DUkvlie S^virV- *'>*» ''»^«' *>»* ivxiwait ia tlxir 



I ''■> J 



littll lit Clinp'rl Hill, Id oik-, Willliiiii M<.'l>uii<;, liitit of MnMiri Hull IMUir of Dr. 
Al'^xiiiirliT W. .Mi-I>;iiii', )iil<; of Uiirtli! (.'Oil illy;, wim iiiii/ll/>r, iiixl l>r .luliii A, 
M'tlmni!, now r>l'(iri:<;nBl)or<), In iiikiIIki'. 

IV. JoifM, laic of Cliulliiirii, wii<t u (/'upliilii in lli<r Ki^voliilioniiry wiir, In llin 
cauHi! of lil» r'onnlry, VVIurn I'linnliiK !""'< Ilillnl»<r«, In; w;in hik<-ii wltli llii; 
Oovcrnor, 'I'liornuH liiirkc, Wlllliiin Kiru'liiri iiri'l ulln^rn, l/y Kannlnx, iin<l ctirrlinl 
t^j Wllinlnxlon; tln.nri; In: Him tiikcn Id CliiiiliDliiii, l«n){ condiKrl llii-ri; m jirl»- 
oni;r, and isHHVri:<l <;xl.(';nii:ly I'min tin; In^ol, illili iiml j/rlvallfjn, 

Mi.-nilcrr of I,<'Kl«lii1.iir<; wllli Inlcrvulu from I'/WJto IHII, Miirrl<r<J Kllziilwtli, 
widow of VVIIIiiini Kln':lir;n, lilii firllow j/rlnoncr. A non, Jolin lirlgKn Mi\iiiiik, 
vfM In till' Li.-(^liiliitiir<; In IHlii, mid a duu){lit<;r i/mrri'id 'ClionuiB Jllll, of |{oikln«- 
liain county, 

V. Jamkm w:i» an acllvi: ofJlccr of tli<; llcvoliltlon, married .Mari^arcl Allen, l»y 
wli'xn lie left a larx<; family. 

VI. Uavii), till! yoiinnexl, wax nol old cuoiKirli lo do inncli (M-rvifc in (In; war 
until n'fiir tin; elow:. Id; iscrved twoloiiri-. in tlie iiillltla. lie re)(re»eijl/:d Orange 
county in llie llouw of (,'oninionii in IWW.ftand 10; twice married; let JMImi 
Allen, and 'M .Vlr». Voiinsr, of (,'ii»we||. (ieo, A. .VJelcine, poitlmatlcr and mer- 
chant of MaMon Hall, and a lart^e liiinlly of cliildren, istill bear liU name, 

Norr. 10, I'aok 87. 
FAW.trsfi KriWAiiO, Ilonoralde, of .Vorili '.'arollna. Wan a native of O/nff 
Iitlaiid, .New York, ooii of Col. I'lilmax KuiinlnK, He wiu-. ediicatird ar Yale <,'ol- 
lege, and (fra/liiatcd witli lioiior in l".")?. He noon afUrrwarde went l'< Sortli ','aro' 
lina and he^jan tlie profcKelon of a lawyer at IIIIUI<oroH!<li, then called Child*- 
horoui^li. In I7<1') tin; de(?r<«; of I.I,. I), waii w/nferred iipoii him hy lile i/I//m mulj:i; 
In ITtiy lie wa« a|/i)'/inti;d '-'olonel of Oranife county, and in I7('m vim iiimU: i:\irk 'it 
the Superior Court at llill»ihorou«h. He alt<< repro.cnlJ-.'l Oranj^e county in tlm 
Ojlonial J/C){i)(laturc. Jii comnion with other irowii oOieA-re, he appears Ut have 
exiu:V-A exorhitaut fe,<;<i for le){al v.ni'xi, and eonw;'|uei)tly ineurr'al the i\M\kt: 
of the ix-x^jde, which wan llnally manlfenti^i tiy a/;t« of vloh:i(ce. He a/;';ompaiii<;d 
Governor Tryon l") .S'ew York iii 1771 a», hin is<;';relary, 'joveriior Martin atski-A 
the I><;;{i»lature t/> indemnify Colonel Fanning for hi» loxw;* ; the re()r<»<;ntative» 
of the \>i-/i\)\k ri:\t»\U'A the 'lovernor for pre«';iitiH(( njch a |><;titir>/i, Jn 177*} 
General Howe gave Kannini; the i'j>uiiiii»*iiin of Col'/ncI, and he ratf^l and w/m- 
twtuil''A a <yjrf»i ealhyl tlw; KUuft Aiiv.f'vMn /lK;/iimiU of /''<fA. iU: wa>. afterward* 
SifilHiinUA i/> the lucrative ofllee of Burveyor-^/cHeral, which he rulaiti'A until 
hin /liiflit, witli otlu;r lyoyaliel*, t/( .Nova 8';//tU in I7*>, In I78<} Ik: wa» i/iad'i 
I^leutcijant-'iovenior of -Vova Iv'otia, and In I7'.W Ik; wau aintniitUA <i<iY<:riu/r of 
l't\tnf: Kdward'n Jjiland, He held the latti;r o(J)/'e ahout u'iui:U-jtit yeaos, a j«rt of 
which time he wa* alw) a IMiiiuWrr In the l/rilith unity, liaviiij^ f/':U>A hi* c//(/( 
wImIoh in IVK He died in />ondon In l**!"*. He wad in m/ way relai<;d t// 
Vmi'ii-A Kannin^^, and tli/juj<h a man of more e%t/fn«ive a\Xit\nutKiiU mid iminniiiK 
aMriim, luui lew ahility tliau hi* Ix/M l«id luuin^nkf., 

Smy. 17, PAftB 87, 
Kwi'i* Ambbj'.ajio. Thin 1» the l<'<dy of wddiem nHiuiiA to in Ui« firivj-AUt'f 
note 1* U»c " KiiiK'» Aiu>:rii-Jtu Ui-'j^lmcMt of VimA," of J>rM«Jni^'iii FU^Ui-H't'/k, an/) 

14 



[ s^' ] 



a# the '• Assooiated Refusoes, or Kind's American Regiment," of Sabine's Lot- 
a\i?ts. The "leiter'" mentioned in the text is one of the omissions mentioned 
in the preface. 

Note IS, Page 40. 

J.VCKSOS D.VTIP. Captain of a corfv? of Loyalists : was taken prisoner by 
Colonel Caswell at Moon'"s Creek in 1T76. 

Note 19. Pace 49. 

"Hand ,ixd arm." Govenior Martin's pr\>elaraation of the iSth of Decem- 
ber precedins U«gc 4(.l'> concludes, -eiiven nnder ini/ />,iiit1 and s,al of arms at 
Halit:>x." Fanninsr. in imitation of the Governor, either through ignorance or 
intention, s;>ys. " given under my A.iJicf iin(f urm as aforesaid." 

Note 00. P.voe 50. 

•• Therv was." The wonl "no" is evidently omitted hero, as Col. Rilfonr cer- 
tainly meant to say, "" Tlurv was no nstiug place for a Tory's fi>ot niK>n the 
earth." 

Uai-FvU-r Asprkw. was bom in Edinburgh, Scotland, of respectable parent- 
agi-. He arrived in America in UrO. and settled at Newport, Rhode Island. 
In ITTT he went to Charleston. South Carviliua, and engaged in making salt. He 
rvmoveii to Salisbury, North Can>liua. in 1T7S. and purchased or obtained lands 
in Randolph county. He was a member of the Legislature frvim this county in 
1TS^>. Such was his activity in the cause of his adopted country, that he was 
taken prisoner in the fall of this year ^l^**^". with Jacob Sheiv;\r»l, father of the 
Hon. Augustine H. Sheivard, by a jvirty of Tories under the command of CoL 
Coulson. AMien carrying them as prisoners to Cheraw they were released by 
Csiptain Childs, frvira Montgxnuery county. He rvtunied to his home, when his 
house w;is attacked by Far-niug. and he was cruelly murilereii by Fanning, his 
liaushtcr and sister clinging to him in desjwir, on Sunday, 10th Mareh, 1T>5J, 
His widow, who came to North Carolina aller his death. Dec., 17S1. was much 
rvsvxvied, and held the office of Pvtst Master at Salisbury until ISii, discharg- 
ing its duties with great fidelity and acceptability. Her son Andrew married 
Mary Hcnly, and had nine childrvn \tivc sons and four daughters^ all of whom 
ren>oviil to the west except Mrs, Elira Drake, wile of Col. Drake, of Ashboro. 
His daujrhter Tibby married John Trv\v, who had three childixjn ; John Balfour 
Troy, now of Randolph co., Marg;»rct, who died in Davids*™ county in ISIS, and 
Rachel, who married Lewis Bearvi, now in the west. His third and remaining 
child, MarsMnt, married Hudson Hughes, of Salisbury, who had two daughters, 
one of whom married Samuel Reeves^ of Salisbury. . 

Note iL Page (>!. 

SiK Grv Cakletox. Coramauder-in-ChieC Guy Carlcton, afterwards Lord 
Dorv-hester. was Wolt"s quartermaster at the storming of Quebec, and was 
apvx'iute*! a Major in the British anuy in ITTi In 1774 he was constituted C3|»- 
lain Geaeral and Govercor of QuetHX- v>r Canada. He snccessftUly commanded 



[ -^1 ] 



till' Brili!*!! at Qiu'lu'c- hIk'II utlac-ki'd by MuijI^^'Miii r.v in ITTri, ccimipi'llcil tlic 
AimM'icivns to raise the sk'fje in 1770, and dnivc tlicin nut of tlir iirovliicc. In 
Octoljer lie reoaiitiired Crown Point. He was unjuBtly HuperHeded in military 
command hy Bur;i;oyne in 1777. He wa» apjiointed to Riiceeed Sir Henry Clinton 
in 178;J, and was in eommand of tlie Britiuli troops when tliey evacuated New 
York, on the 25th of November, 17.S3. He died in Eni^larjd at the close of 1«0H, 
ajjed 8:3 years. 

NoTi; 22. y.u-,!'. (il. 

COLON!!!. Bai,i,in(;a!,!,, Was in commission under the Crown In South Caro- 
lina after the surrender of Charleston, iti 1780. lie was an addresser of Sir 
Henry Clinton in 1780, and willin;^ to take up arms in liehall'of the Crown. 

NoTi-: 2:',. I'.UiK 01. 

Williams RonEUT, was banished and attainted, and his estate eonn»cated, in 

1785. 

Note 34. Page 03. 

Gailliard John. John and Theodoie (lailliard were both members of the 
Provincial Congress of Nortli Carolina in 177."), when they were probably Whigs. 
In 1780, they held commission under the erowii. 

Note 25. Page 62. 

Greenwood, Major Wm., of Charleston, South Carolina, was an addresser of 
Sir Henry Clinton, in 1780, and a petitioner io be armed on the side of the Cruwu. 
He was banished and his proijcrty eonfiseated in 1782. 

Note 20. Page 02. 

Caper Major Gabriel, was a conspicuous member of the Provincial Con- 
gress of South Carolina, in 1775. 

Note 27. Page 03. 

HoPTON John, a merchant of Charleston. His properly was confiscated, for 
which he was partially remunerated. He died in 18:jl. 

Note 28. Page 02. 

Millar Andrew, a respectable Scotch merchant in Ilalilax. He was a friend 
and correspondent of Governor Burke before the revolution. Several letters of 
his are in the archives of the Historical Society of the University of North Caro- 
lina. His property was conliscated in 1779. 

Note 2y. 

Cabson Wh., of South Carolina, weut to London during the war, and signed 
nn address to the King in 1779. 



J. ./1&,^'y« 






I N D Ji] X 



ALSTON, Philiii, 27, 40, (note 13). 
Autrey, Abs., 20. 
Andrews, Samuel, 2.'!, 

(specially excepted iu act of oljli- 
vioD,) 70. 

BALFOUR, Col., 17, 29, 

killed, 51, 
(lor sketch of, see note 20.) 
Bancroft, Geo., xvii. 
Bliss, Porter C, xvi. 
Brown, Thomas, 2. 
Big Cane Break, 3. 
Burns, John, 3, 4G. 
Brown, Samuel, C. 
Daniel, 20. 
Wm., 21. 
Bird, Rieh'd, 19. 
Burke, Gov'r, (taken by Fanning,) 

33, 52. 
Butler, Gen'!, 33, 34, 49. 
Bryan, Capt. Jolin, (Reliel, killed, his 

heroism, SI.) 
Ballingall, Col., 61, (see note 22.) 
Bryan, Sam'l, 02. 
Baron, Dr., C2. • 
Blair, Thomas, (see note 1 2. ) 

CUNNIXGHAM, William, xi, 1 1 ; 

for biojfraphy of, see note 6. 

R<jbert, 2, 12 ; 
for biography of, see note 4. 
Cherokee Indians, 3, 4. 
Comwalli.s, Lord, 13, 14^ 15, 

(for sketch of, see note 9.) 



Chatham Court Hou.sc, 15, 23. 
Cross Creek, (now Fayettovillc,) 15. 
Coxe's Mill, 15, 28, 29. 
Collier, Col., 17, 51. 
Craigg, Maj., 18, 3(i, 37, 38. 
Currie, Jos., 20, 41, 42, 43, 50. 
Carr, William, 20, (married,) 50. 
Cagle, or C'ayle, John, 21, 49, see 

note 12. 
Cage, Wm., 29, 30. 
Cane Creek, battle of, 33. 
Campbell, Charles, 37. 

Alexander, C4. 
Coxe, Capt., (house burnt,) 41. 
Clark, A., 40. 
Colston, Capt., 47. 
Capers, Gabriel, 02, note 26. 
Champuiss, John, 02. 
Cassels, Col., 62. 
Carson, Wm., 02, note 29. 
Caswell, Rieh'd, 70. 
Carltton, Sir Guy, nol« 21. 

DARK, Thomas, 20, see note 12. 

Samuel, 20. 
Depister, Capt., 13, see nolo 7. 
Deep River, 13, 14, 15, 10. 
Duck, Capt., 14. 

Dixon's Mill, on Cane Creek, 14. 
Dudly, Col., 16, 17; for sketch of, 

see note 11. 
Donnelly, Thoa., 19. 
Deaton, Wm., 20. 
Dunn, Win., 21. 
Drowning Creek, battle of, 3 1 . 



[ ^^-l 1 



Pawson. James, 21. 

l)iisrt>n, Mnj.. al. (letter from, "il.) 

Diipont, Col., CI. 

PawkiiLS, Geo., G4. 

Dumhiss. Thos., G9. 

I'lLWOOD, Win.. 17. 
Ellett, James, 20. 
Thos,. 20. 
Erwin, John, 20. 
Kdwards, Kieh'd. 21. 

Meiidav, 21 ; 

hnng. sec note 12. 
Edw., 21. .see note 12. 
Kstwiek, Thomas, 21. 
PMgehill, Thomas, 62. 
Eastiidgt?, Thos., see note 12. 

FAXXIXa. Pavid. ix, x, xi, 

13, IS, 32, 33, 42, -19, et jw«im. 
■\Villinm. 21. 

Hon. Edmond. see note IG. 
FletohaU, Thomas, 1, 2, 3 : 

biography .nnd letter of, see note 1. 
Fair, Capt., V». 
Ferguson, Patriek. 13, 22 : 

for biograpliy of. see note S. 
Finoannon, AVm., IS). 
Fairrorest, see note 1. 



lliUis. Wni.. 20. 
Ilunsnoker. \Vm.. 20. 
Hoooker. \Vm.. 20. 3.'> ; 

niarrieil. 5G, and shot. 
IIoUo«!\_v, Stephen, 21. 
Hancock, AVm., 21. 
Hodge, Jos., 21. 
Hinds, Capt., il. 

Hunter. Andrew, escape of, with Fan- 
niug's mare, 59 ; 

letter from, 59, GO : 

refused five negroes for the mare, 62. 
Hopton, John. G2, note 27. 
llnnter, Peter, G7. 

IXXIS. Col., 12. 
Isaacs, G.il.. 39, 40, 41. 
Inglis. Thos., G2. 

JACKPOX, Pavid, 40 ; hung, 52 ; see 

notes 12, IS, 
Johnston, Rob't, G2. 
James, Gl. 

KINt^, Wm.. 20. 

Kondriok, Martin, 21. 

Knowles, Maj., rebel, killed, 35. 

Knight, Capt.. 35. 

Kennedy, Capt., taken by Fanning, 3S. 



CILI.IAX. Capt.. S. 
Greene. Ucn'l. 14. 
Guttrell, Col.. 35. 
Gholstou, \Vm.. Capt., 53, 54 ; 

house burnt. 41. 
Griftith. Major Roger, letter from, 53. 
Guin, Edward. Capt.. letter of. 54. 55. 
Gailliard, John. G2. see note 24. 
Greenwood. Wm., G2, note 25. 
Gray. Col.. G2. 

HAMILTOX. Col. John, 13, 17. 62, 
64, 6G. (for sketdi, see note 11.) 
Hastings, John. 21. 
Hendrick's Mill, 3. 
Hinds. Capt John. 15. 



LATHAM, Cornelius, 19. 
Liudley, James, 1, sec note 12. 

AVni., 20. 
Little River, 3. 
Lee. Col.. 14. 

Loggctt, Capt.. 30. G4, 67, note 14. 
Lindscy's ilill. on Cane Creek, 

battle of; 33, 34. 
Luttrell. Col., killed at battle of Cane 

Creek. 35. 
Lindly. Capt., 35 ; killed, 46. 
Lopp, Capt., 3S. 
Leslie, CJeu'l, 57. 

MAUXEr. John. 21. 
Murphy, Judge, xvii. 



L 85 J 



McBride, Arch., ITon., xvii. 
McDuiraUl, Arch., xviii, 2:i, 32, n*, .'57. 
Mills, Col, 7, see note G. 
Musgrovc's Mill, 12; 

battle of, seo note 7. 
McPherson, Wm., 20. 
McDowell, Thomas, 21. 
Melver, Alex., 21. 
Martin, Miirdock, 21. 
McLoud, Wm., 21. 

AlexV, 21. 
MoKnight, Wm., 21. 
McFalls' Mill, :!1. 
McNeal, Hector, ?A, 32, 33, 37, 

seo note 1 5. 
McKay, Arch., 31, 37, C8, note 12. 

Malcolm, 37. 
Mebane, Robt., at Cane Creek battle, 
34, see note 15. 

William, see note 15. 

Alexander, see note 15. 

John, .see note 15. 

James, see note 15. 

David, see note 15. 
McCraw, Alex., 37. 
McDonald, Dan'l, 37. 
Martin, Gov'r, proclamation of, 39. 
Maurice, Jacob, 49. 
Millar, Andrew, 02, note 28. 
McNeil, Dan'l, G4. 
Mclnuis, Neil, 65. 
Mallett, Peter, 70, note 12. 
McLean, John, note 12. 

NINETY-SIX, Fort, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12. 
Kelson, Ab'm, 21. 
Niss, Henry, 68. 



Poles, Wm., 20. 
Price, Wm., 21, 19. 
Phillips, Stephen, 21. 

Col., 62. 
Paisley, Cnl, 29. 
Pearce, Winsor, •II. 
Powell, Rob't Wm., 02. 
Pearson, Col., 62. 
Pemberton, J., 09. 

RABURN'S Creek, a branch of Reedy 
River, Laurens district, S. C, I, 
4, 5, 6. 
Rapely, a Jew, 1. 
Robiii.son, Maj. Jos., 3. 
Reedy, River, 3, 4. 
Ritchie, f'apt., 4. 
Rogers, Capt. John, 4. 
Rntledge, Gov., 1 1. 
Riimsey's Mill, 15. 

Rain.s, .John, 19, 23, 29, 31, 4:i. 59, 
seo note 12. 

Wm., 19, 35, 49. 

Geo., 19, 23, 35. 

Robt., 19. 

James, 20. 
Robens, Michael, 20. 
Ramsour, Heury, 20. 
Rutherford, Gon'l, 30. 
Robertson, Capt , 30. 
Eamsay, William, 42, 43, 44. 

Matthew, 44, 45. 
Rosur, Jos., 53. 
Robett.son, Charles, G5. 
Ricketts, Thomas, see note 12. 
Rice, James, note 12. 
Ray, Duncan, note 12. 



O'NEAL, Hugh, a tory, 2. 
Col., 30. 

PARIS, or Parrisli, Rich'd, 2, 5, 11, 

12, 1.3. 
Parrish's plantation, 4. 
Pickens, Col., 12, see note 6. 
Pyles, CoL 14. 



SILVEDOOR, Rev'd Mr.. 1. 

(Salvador, see note 1.) 
Smith, ('apt., 5. 

Samuel, G. 
Salisbury, 7. 
Spinks, .John, 19. 
Shield.^, licnj.. 20. 

Reuben, 21. 



86 



Smith. FiTil. -20. 
Ailain, 20. 
Smally, Abnor, 21, in. 
Plins,-sby, Col.. :!0. :U. 
Stiiison. C:ipt.. 10. 

Slnrkc, 1'".. .«poakor of house of com- 
mon.'!, 70. 

TORK, ('apt. John. u. (1. 

Tiiier River, (!. 

Turner, Roh'i. 20. 

Thonipjoii, a Rolu-l. taken liy F.an- 

ninjr. 12. 
Tlionipiion, Baliiaiu, 111. 
'IVnncnt. Rev'd \Vm., note 1. 

VKll'TS. Rov'il Roger, xviii. 



WALKHR, Stciihen. 20. 12, -l.l, :>0, 

see note 12. 
Williams. Col.. .\i. 11, 12. 
AVilliamson. Gon'l, 12. 
^Vollaslon, Kbenezer, 19, 34. 
Wade, Tol.. :!1. 
Watson. .loliii, :!". 

Williams, Jas., -12, ■I,'!, 4+, 4(5, 47, 55. 
Williams, Capt., ,''i2. 
Wilson, .los., 5S. 

Williaius, E(Uv'<l. letter to Fanning. 
CO. 
Rob't. 01. see note 23. 
Well.=, Dr. Wm. Charles, G2. 
Wliiiley, Mcses, CA. 
Whisnnpnut, Philip. 05. 
Williams, Col., sec note 8. 



E R R ATA. 

To present a tnilhfnl portraiture of tlie man and the times, it was proper to 
print his Journal precisely as he wrote it himself. The orthography is not less 
faulty in the use of proper names than in general words. A few corrections 
may be proper, to identify the persons to whom he refers. 

On page 12. 2Gth line. J'usgrovi Mills should be Musgrove. 
On page I:!. Forgesson sliotild be Ferguson. 

On page IT, 29th line, Khvood should be F.lrod. Col. EIrod's humanity ren- 
dered him obnoxious to Faiuiing. — Se Cuntthcrs' Old Xortli StaU; vol. 1. 175. 
On page 35. 11th line. Col. linttrell sliould be Luttrell. 

On page 00, 20tli line, t^iarner should be tiainey, a famous Tory leader in S. C. 
On page 70, 10th line, Starke should be Starkey. 

The reader will readily correct the following: 

On page xiv. L. P. Swain should be printed D. L. 

On page 21. Mannep slioukl be Maimey. 

On jiago 5. Tork shoukl be York. 

On page 05. Wliisunpunt should be WhisenhuuL 



V- 



^ 



A1c. 



